Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has appealed to organised labour in the state—including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC)—to always engage the government in peaceful dialogue before resorting to industrial action.
Governor Abiodun made the call during a meeting with labour leaders at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, where key issues affecting workers’ welfare, especially the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), were discussed.
He assured the labour leadership that his administration would commence full implementation of the CPS beginning July 2025, adding that the payment structure would follow a phased 10-year plan.
According to him, the first phase would cover retirees from July 2, 2025, to July 1, 2030, while the second phase, beginning in 2026, would span July 2, 2030, to July 1, 2035.
“What is key is that we have decided to pay outstanding contributions for retirees who exit the service between July 2, 2025, and July 1, 2030. Next year, we will begin the second phase, which will cater to retirees between 2030 and 2035,” the governor said.
He further clarified that the scheme is designed to provide for workers even after his administration’s exit in 2027, noting that eight of the ten years covered by the plan would fall under future administrations.
Abiodun also announced that from July 2, 2025, the gratuity scheme will be discontinued, and all workers’ consolidated salaries will revert to the CPS model.
“A lot of work has gone into this. Previously, those managing pensions were unqualified, and that slowed down the process,” he said.
He added that immediate payments would be made to retirees through PENCOM, with the state government providing the required funds to ensure prompt settlement of benefits. Relevant legislation will be enacted to back the new policy framework, he noted.
On employee enrollment, the governor pledged that all public servants would be promptly registered under the CPS, once Pension Fund Administrators are selected.
Abiodun disclosed that his administration had paid leave allowances inherited up to 2013, while arrears from 2014 to 2022 amounting to N8 billion remain outstanding but will be paid in tranches.
He also revealed that the state government had disbursed N37 billion in gratuities to both state and local government retirees, in addition to N163 billion in pension payments since 2019.
Highlighting workers’ promotions, Abiodun said six promotion exercises had been conducted over the past five years. He announced that promotion arrears for 2023 would be paid in September 2025, and those for 2024 in December 2025.
“We’ll commence payment for those promoted in 2023 by September this year. Payment for 2024 promotions will follow in December,” he said.
The governor also gave assurances that the basic salary structure of state workers would be reviewed for possible adjustment in line with prevailing standards in other southwestern states.
READ ALSO: Ogun NLC Declares Indefinite Strike, Demands Immediate Dialogue With Govt
He appreciated organised labour for the support his administration has enjoyed since 2019 and appealed for continued cooperation in the interest of peace and progress.
“Dialogue must always take precedence over confrontation. Industrial action should only come as a last resort,” he added.
Labour Leaders Respond
In response, Comrade Hameed Benco, Ogun State Chairman of the NLC, explained that the recent strike threat stemmed from fears and uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the CPS.
“The concerns were largely based on rumours and lack of clarity. Workers needed reassurance,” Benco said.
Also speaking, Comrade Akeem Lasisi, State Chairman of the TUC, noted that the strike was not intended to cripple government operations but to attract the governor’s attention to urgent concerns, especially following the July 1, 2025 commencement of the amended 2006 Pension Reform Act.
He urged the government to consider adjusting workers’ basic salaries to align with what is obtainable in other southwest states.