By Kayode Olopade
The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to reposition the state public service through aggressive human capital development, digital capacity building, industrialized harmony initiatives and administrative reforms aimed at improving governance and service delivery across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, disclosed this during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating the third year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre.
Ayantayo said the Ministry had sustained strategic reforms anchored on three core pillars — Human Capital Development, Industrial Relations and Establishment Matters — as part of efforts to build a more efficient, productive and digitally compliant public service.
According to him, the ministry organised 54 in-plant and in-service training programmes that benefited 7,116 officers across the state public service, covering generic and specialised skill-gap training programmes, including capacity development for paramilitary officers and education administrators.
He added that the ministry also processed 744 training sign-off requests for 148 MDAs while implementing specialised training programmes for procurement officers, scientific officers, chemical engineers, administrative personnel and human resource officers.
The commissioner disclosed that over 104 stagnated Chief Clerical Officers were selected for a nine-month Foundation Course in Human Resource Management following a rigorous screening and Computer-Based Test exercise designed to improve career progression within the public service.
In further efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, Ayantayo said 248 officers were sponsored to attend professional conferences, including international and local conferences, while approvals for further studies were granted to 4,830 officers across various cadres.
Highlighting the ministry’s strategic innovation programmes, the commissioner revealed that the pilot phase of the Public-Private Industry Exchange Programme commenced in 2025 with 50 participants deployed to private sector organisations for industry exposure and knowledge exchange.
He also noted that 100 mid-level officers underwent a three-month Public Service Accelerator Programme focused on advanced leadership, adaptive governance and strategic management skills, while another 1,000 officers participated in an Accelerated Digital Literacy Training Certification Programme conducted in collaboration with Messrs. Potenergy Limited.
On industrial relations, Ayantayo stated that the government sustained industrial harmony through the resolution of disputes involving unions and professional associations, including the Nigeria Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees and the implementation of the Lagos Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (LAGMESS).
He explained that the state government approved and paid nine months’ arrears requested by the Joint Action Committee of Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Science and Technology and Lagos State University of Education between August and October 2025, while LASU management settled the remaining three months between November 2025 and January 2026.
The commissioner further disclosed that 300 local union leaders and stakeholders received training as part of efforts to strengthen labour relations and workplace stability within the public service.
Ayantayo said the ministry also resolved the contributory pension issue involving the Association of Resident Doctors in April 2026 and implemented a ₦32,000 monthly pension increment for retirees on the Defined Benefit Scheme in line with the National Minimum Wage Amendment Act 2024.
Speaking on establishment matters, he said the state government paid ₦456.5 million as Medical Residency Training Fund for 470 resident doctors while several public service reforms, including the review of the 2015 Public Service Rules and sensitisation on the draft 2025 Public Service Rules, were undertaken.
The commissioner disclosed that the ministry successfully conducted the 2026 Structured Evaluation and Assessment Programme and Revised Structured Training Programme promotion exercise for 4,891 officers across agencies, parastatals and the mainstream civil service.
He added that the state government approved the payment of ₦3.67 billion in salary arrears for 6,293 academic and non-academic staff of state-owned tertiary institutions and also paid salary differentials for medical and dental doctors amounting to over ₦378.8 million.
Ayantayo further revealed that the government implemented harmonised salary structures for new universities and Lagos State University, approved ₦50,000 palliatives for public servants and sustained end-of-year bonus payments as part of employee welfare initiatives.
On institutional reforms, the commissioner said the Personnel Management Board attended 222 board sessions covering confirmation, promotion, discipline, recruitment, conversion and regularisation matters involving thousands of officers across the state public service.
Ayantayo also highlighted ongoing reforms at the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), saying the institution had been strategically repositioned into a sustainable and self-sufficient government training centre capable of meeting modern governance demands.
According to him, the centre established a digital audio-visual studio, upgraded its facilities, introduced a Toastmasters Club and expanded leadership, mentoring and succession planning programmes aimed at building a globally competitive public service workforce.
He reiterated the commitment of the Sanwo-Olu administration to sustaining reforms that would enhance professionalism, efficiency and innovation across the Lagos State Public Service.
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