The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has called on the state government to increase the minimum wage for workers from N85,000 to N225,000.

The Chairperson of the council, Funmi Sessi, made the demand on Friday during the International Workers’ Day held at Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

Sessi said the proposed increase had become necessary due to rising inflation and the high cost of living in the state.

She noted that while the current wage approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was commendable, it was no longer sufficient to meet workers’ needs.

“Given the current economic hardship and the high cost of living in Lagos, this amount is no longer sufficient.

“We, therefore, respectfully appeal to the state government to review the minimum wage to N225,000 in the interest of workers and industrial harmony,” the chairperson said.

She also raised concerns over insecurity and poverty, describing them as major challenges affecting workers’ productivity and welfare.

According to her, many workers face risks such as kidnapping and displacement, while the rising cost of goods and services has made it difficult to meet basic needs.

“The current inflation rate of 15.38 per cent has worsened the suffering of our people.

“Prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities have risen significantly, making workers more vulnerable,” the labour leader stated.

Sessi urged both the federal and Lagos State governments to strengthen security measures and implement policies that would improve workers’ welfare.

She, however, commended the state government for ongoing infrastructure projects and worker-focused initiatives.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, who represented the governor, alongside other government officials and labour leaders.

NAN

Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said that the administration’s policies were aimed at enhancing the welfare of workers in the state.

Makinde said this on Friday during the 2026 May Day celebration held at Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Ibadan.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musbau Babatunde, the governor described as apt the theme for the 2026 May Day celebration; ‘Insecurity and Poverty: Threats to a Conducive Work Environment’.

According to him, the theme paints workers with the harsh reality of the world of work.

The governor said that insecurity and poverty were twin burdens that drain productivity and destroy morale.

He said that no civil servant could deliver excellence where fear and uncertainty prevail.

Makinde declared that “insecurity disrupts livelihoods, delays projects, and discourages investment while poverty, on its part, strips labour of dignity.

“Poverty fuels desperation, opens the door to corruption, and weakens commitment to service,” the governor said.

Makinde further said that his administration did not wait but acted decisively to break the cycle, having understood the consequences of insecurity and poverty.

He cited the establishment and strengthening of the Amotekun Security Network as a community-based security initiative to complement conventional security agencies.

“Beyond this, we have consistently supported security agencies with logistics, patrol vehicles, communication equipment, and other logistics,” he stated.

Makinde further cited improved inter-agency coordination among the Police, Amotekun, the Armed Forces, and other services, saying it has boosted intelligence sharing and rapid response.

The governor said that his administration believes that “a secure Oyo state is a productive Oyo state”.

Makinde further said that regular and prompt salary, pension payments, the implementation of the national minimum wage, clearing of inherited promotion arrears/ leave bonuses, and the recent N10, 000 monthly transport bonuses are testimonies of the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare.

He urged workers to remain committed, disciplined, innovative, and to reject corruption and embrace excellence.

The governor said that his administration would continue to build a conducive work environment through policies and collective effort.

In their remarks, the duo of the state chairmen of Trade Union Congress(TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), Mr Bosun Olabiyi-Agoro and Mr Martins Kayode, respectively, urged the government to do more in tackling insecurity and poverty in the nation.

Olabiyi-Agoro noted that Nigerian workers were not finding it easy in the face of increasing fuel prices and uncontrollable inflation.

Kayode commended the state government for responding appropriately to all issues relating to the welfare of workers in the state.

He urged the state government to make the recent three-month transport bonus allowance of N10,000 a permanent one, so as to reduce workers’ hardship.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the celebration featured various activities, including a march-past by affiliates of the TUC and NLC.

(NAN)

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The Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Jerry Uwangue, has said the recent field engagement by the ministry was designed to interface with genuine farmers and eliminate the era of “political farmers.”

Speaking with PUNCH Online on Friday, he said the state government would conduct comprehensive farmer profiling and deepen inclusion in government-driven agricultural programmes.

Uwangue added that the engagement also served as a platform to communicate the policy direction of Governor Monday Okpebholo, while gathering firsthand data on farmers’ realities to drive practical, data-backed interventions.

He recalled that he, alongside key officials of the ministry, toured major agrarian corridors in Edo North, including Akoko-Edo, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Etsako West, Owan East and Owan West.

The commissioner urged farmers to key into the ongoing profiling exercise and embrace the cluster farming model—an integrated system aimed at boosting productivity and economies of scale.

He said the initiative was part of efforts to reinforce the state government’s commitment to grassroots agricultural transformation across the 18 local government areas.

“We urge farmers to key into the ongoing profiling exercise and embrace the cluster farming model, an integrated system designed to boost productivity and economies of scale.

“Under this initiative, the government will facilitate land clearing, structured allocation of farmlands, provision of inputs and mechanisation services, irrigation support and the establishment of security architecture to safeguard both farmers and agricultural investments.

“That is why we embarked on the recent field engagement in Edo North—to interface with genuine farmers and eradicate the era of ‘political farmers,’” he said.

He noted that during interactive sessions, farmers commended previous government interventions but also highlighted persistent challenges such as poor market pricing, insecurity and limited access to inputs.

According to him, many farmers described the engagement as unprecedented, noting it was the first time a commissioner visited farmers across multiple local government areas to engage directly and ensure that interventions reach real farmers rather than politically connected individuals or middlemen.

The commissioner also disclosed plans to establish modern storage and aggregation facilities across the three senatorial districts to reduce post-harvest losses and stabilise market prices.

He further revealed that strategic partnerships with verified off-takers were underway to guarantee structured market access and ensure farmers receive fair value for their produce.

Uwangue said the farmer profiling initiative would serve as the foundation for aligning production with demand, strengthening value chains and delivering targeted interventions to reposition Edo State as a hub for sustainable agricultural productivity.

The Acting Permanent Secretary, Bamiyi Osedebamen, emphasised the importance of registration, urging farmers to mobilise others in their communities to participate actively. She cautioned against any form of financial exploitation, stressing that the profiling process is free and government-driven.

Technical insights were also provided by the Director of Agricultural Services, Ogunbor David, and the Programme Manager of the Agricultural Development Programme, Princewill Igbinedion, alongside other ministry officials.

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