The Lagos State Government has approved and paid N3.67 billion in salary arrears to 6,293 academic and non-academic staff of state-owned tertiary institutions as part of sweeping welfare and public service reforms aimed at improving workers’ wellbeing and sustaining industrial harmony across the state.
Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, disclosed this on Monday 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, Alausa, Ikeja.
Ayantayo said the payment covered nine months arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase approved for workers in Lagos State-owned tertiary institutions.
According to him, the intervention formed part of the government’s broader commitment to prioritising workers’ welfare, strengthen industrial peace and reposition the Lagos public service for improved productivity and efficiency.
The commissioner explained that the administration had continued to invest heavily in staff welfare, training, promotions and institutional reforms to build a more responsive and globally competitive public service.
He disclosed that the state government also implemented a N32,000 monthly pension increment for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme in line with the National Minimum Wage Amendment Act 2024.
Ayantayo further revealed that Governor Sanwo-Olu approved the payment of N50,000 fuel palliative to public servants to cushion the effects of economic hardship and rising transportation costs.
“This singular act further bears eloquent testimony to the resolve of Mr. Governor and his Deputy in prioritising the welfare and wellbeing of workers,” he stated.
The commissioner said the government also paid N456.5 million Medical Residency Training Fund to 470 resident doctors in the state, while salary differentials amounting to N378.8 million were approved for medical and dental practitioners.
He added that Lagos successfully implemented the Lagos Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (LAGMESS), a move that helped avert industrial action in the health sector and improve remuneration for doctors and dental practitioners.
According to Ayantayo, the issue surrounding contributory pensions involving the Association of Resident Doctors was also resolved in April 2026 through dialogue and engagement.
On human capital development, the commissioner disclosed that the ministry organised 54 training programmes between May 2025 and May 2026, benefiting over 7,116 public servants across various cadres.
He explained that the programmes included generic and specialised skills-gap training designed to improve competence, leadership capacity and service delivery within the public service.
Ayantayo also revealed that 4,830 officers were granted approvals for further studies, while 248 officers attended professional conferences, including international training programmes.
He stated that Lagos trained 1,000 officers under an Accelerated Digital Literacy Training and Certification Programme aimed at improving digital competence and preparing public servants for a technology-driven work environment.
The commissioner added that the ministry launched the Public Service Accelerator Programme targeting mid-level officers on Grade Levels 12 to 14 to institutionalise innovation, strategic leadership and excellence in governance.
According to him, industrial harmony remained one of the key achievements of the ministry due to sustained engagement with labour unions and professional bodies.
“We dialogue with union members when there are issues. We dialogue when there are no issues. And we continue to dialogue and keep the communication channels open no matter the situation,” Ayantayo said.
He disclosed that the ministry resolved the lingering leadership crisis within the Nigeria Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees through a Memorandum of Understanding facilitated alongside relevant federal agencies.
Ayantayo also highlighted reforms in career progression and workforce administration, noting that the ministry conducted the 2026 Structured Evaluation and Assessment Programme and Revised Structured Training Programme promotion exercise for 4,891 officers across government agencies and parastatals.
He added that 1,032 certificates of service were issued to retired officers during the review period, while continuous replacement of exited personnel was carried out in key agencies including LASTMA, LASUTH and the Health Service Commission.
The commissioner further disclosed that the Public Service Staff Development Centre, Magodo, recorded significant improvements through the establishment of a digital audio-visual studio, upgrade of training facilities, creation of a Toastmasters Club and expansion of institutional partnerships.
Ayantayo reaffirmed the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to sustaining workers’ welfare, strengthening public institutions and building a future-ready public service capable of supporting Lagos’ vision as a global megacity.
