Lagos Government Trains Over 23,420 Workers, Increases Minimum Wage to ₦85,000 – Ayantayo

 

By Kayode Olopade 

 The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to professionalizing the public service through human capital development, improved industrial relations, and robust establishment policies. This was disclosed by the Honourable Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, during a ministerial press briefing marking the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

Speaking at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Mr. Ayantayo highlighted key achievements of the ministry, noting that over 23,420 public servants benefited from training programmes between May 2023 and December 2024.

“In total, more than 120 capacity-building programmes were conducted across various skill levels and themes, including digital transformation, policy analysis, and emotional intelligence,” the Commissioner said. “We processed 742 training requests from 139 MDAs, demonstrating increasing demand and confidence in our training coordination.”

He also disclosed that 464 officers participated in local and international professional seminars, while 2,057 officers were granted study leave over the past three years.

A major highlight of the Ministry’s efforts is the Public-Private Sector Personnel Exchange Programme, under which 50 officers have been selected to engage with private organizations to foster knowledge transfer and innovation.

Mr. Ayantayo revealed that the State Government has implemented significant wage awards to cushion the effects of economic pressures on workers. In January 2024, salaries were increased by ₦35,000, raising the minimum wage from ₦41,750 to ₦71,750. By October 2024, a new minimum wage of ₦85,000 was announced and took effect in November.

“This progressive wage policy underlines the Governor’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of Lagos State workers,” he said.

He emphasized that Lagos has maintained industrial peace through proactive engagement with labour unions and the resolution of grievances without resorting to strikes.

The Ministry also implemented the Revised Structured Training Programme (RSTP) to ensure merit-based promotions. A total of 978 officers in the mainstream service and 3,756 in parastatals underwent RSTP assessments during promotion exercises.

Furthermore, bilateral discussions on personnel budgeting were conducted to align recruitment and wage plans with fiscal goals, enhancing transparency in the State’s personnel expenditure.

In 2024, the government disbursed over ₦455 million under the Medical Residency Training Fund, paid rural allowances to primary healthcare workers, and implemented revised salary structures—CONMESS and CONHESS—with over ₦2.6 billion disbursed to medical professionals.

ICT officers also received a job-related allowance from October 2024, in line with efforts to strengthen digital transformation in the public sector.

Mr. Ayantayo revealed that the government approved a comprehensive severance and redundancy package for 391 disengaged staff of the Lagos State Water Corporation. The package included three months’ salary in lieu of notice, pension payments, and redundancy compensation.

Additionally, severance allowances were paid to appointees of dissolved commissions, including the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission.

The Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), under the ministry’s supervision, trained over 35,000 public servants under the RSTP in two years and more than 5,900 officers in general capacity-building initiatives.

Establishment of a state-of-the-art Digital Audio/Visual Studio

Launch of the Toastmasters Club to build communication skills

Opening of the Idaraya Arena, a multipurpose sports facility for staff wellness

Creation of the Directorate of Gender Studies and General Duties

Strategic collaborations with institutions like LASU, LASUSTECH, and the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation have also led to diploma programs and global leadership training for Lagos State officers.

In closing, Mr. Ayantayo praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership and pledged the Ministry’s continued dedication to the THEMES+ agenda.

“Our progress reflects a shared commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and sustainability. Together, we will continue to build a professional and responsive public service for a Greater Lagos,” he stated.