By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare, addressing insecurity, and reducing the cost of living.
All workers are to get N50,000 in May, and a review will follow.
The governor spoke at a massive rally to mark the 2026 World Labour Day at Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan, Lagos.
Thousands of workers, union leaders, and ordinary folks cheered and sang solidarity songs as Mr Sanwo-Olu spoke. He was represented by his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
The governor described Lagos workers as the “living infrastructure” of the state, praising their resilience and contributions to economic growth.
“There is a particular kind of courage that does not make headlines… the quiet, daily decision to rise before the sun, to show up, to serve, to build. That is the kind of courage I have seen in the workers of this great state,” the governor said.
Addressing the theme of this year’s celebration, “Insecurity, Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the realities confronting workers and pledged measurable action.
“It is a diagnosis—an honest accounting of the conditions that stand between the Nigerian worker and a life of genuine dignity. I accept that diagnosis, and I intend to respond not with words alone, but with evidence”, he said.
The governor highlighted Lagos State’s leadership in wage reform, noting that the state pays the highest minimum wage in Nigeria.
He said, “When the Federal Government set the national minimum wage at ₦70,000, Lagos went to ₦85,000, because we looked at the cost of living in this city and concluded that anything less would be inadequate.”
While adding that discussions on further wage adjustments remain ongoing with organised labour, the governor announced that this month, workers will receive additional payment of N50,000 as an extra wage bonus. This, he noted, is to cushion the current economic challenges occasioned by the global increase in the price of fuel. The pay will be reviewed.
On healthcare, Sanwo-Olu pointed to reforms under the Lagos State Health Management Authority (LASHMA), including the introduction of flexible payment options for health insurance.
“No worker should have to choose between seeing a doctor and feeding their children. That is not a slogan—it is the logic behind the Ilera Eko Easy Pay system.”
He also emphasized expanded access to healthcare for retirees as part of broader social protection efforts.
The governor underscored progress in mass transit as a key intervention to ease the burden on workers.
He said, “The Blue Line rail has now carried over five million passengers… The Red Line has received 24 new train cars… We are building a city where the length of your commute is no longer determined by the size of your wallet.”
He noted that over ₦102 billion has been earmarked in the 2026 budget for continued rail expansion, including work on the Green Line.
Sanwo-Olu detailed the administration’s housing delivery efforts, including affordable housing schemes and targeted allocations for essential workers.
“The people who build this city deserve to have an address in it”, he noted.
He revealed that nearly 11,000 housing units have been delivered, with over 14,000 expected by the end of 2026, supported by flexible financing models, such as the Rent-To-Own scheme.
While reiterating his administration’s commitment to timely pension payments and dignified retirement for public servants, the governor stressed that the covenant between a government and its workforce does not expire with their service…
“We owe you a retirement worth living”, he stated.
Sanwo-Olu also highlighted continued recognition of senior civil servants, stressing that his administration has distributed official vehicles to directors across key sectors.
He said, “In 2023, we approved and distributed 100 brand new official vehicles to substantive directors drawn from the teaching service, the health service, and the mainstream civil service. In 2024, a further set of official vehicles was presented to directors at the State Secretariat in Alausa. And just this April, we repeated that commitment with a fresh presentation of vehicles to Grade Level 17 directors across the same three services”
Sanwo-Olu linked security directly to productivity and workers’ well-being, stressing ongoing investments in safety infrastructure.
“A city where people do not feel safe cannot be a city where people work productively”, he noted.
The Governor cited improvement in surveillance, community policing, and collaboration with federal security agencies.
With 2026 marking the administration’s final full year in office, the Governor emphasized delivery and completion of key projects.
“The measure of these eight years will not be what we announced. It will be what we finished”, he said.
While noting that dialogue with labour unions has not always been smooth, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s openness to engagement with labour unions, stressing that the negotiating table is always set.
Sanwo-Olu concluded by celebrating Lagos workers and reiterating their central role in the state’s progress.
He said, “Lagos is not great because of its government. Lagos is great because of you.”
He wished workers a happy May Day and reaffirmed his commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable Lagos.
