The Governor of Babajide Sanwo-Olu has restated his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, security, and reducing the cost of living, announcing a N50,000 economic support package for workers in the state.
A statement by the Lagos state said the governor made this known during the 2026 World Labour Day celebration held at Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, where thousands of workers, union leaders, and residents gathered to mark the annual event. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said the intervention would take effect in May, with a review planned afterwards.
He described workers in Lagos as the backbone of the state’s growth, commending their resilience and daily contributions to development.
“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,” thegovernorr said.
Addressing the theme of the celebration, “Insecurity, Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the challenges facing workers and pledged practical steps to address them.
“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 position as the highest-paying state in terms of minimum wage, noting that the government moved beyond the national benchmark to better reflect economic realities.
“When the Federal Government set the national minimum wage at N70,000, Lagos went to N85,000… because we looked at the cost of living in this city and concluded that anything less would be inadequate,” he added.
He added that discussions on further wage adjustments with labour unions are ongoing, while the newly announced N50,000 payment is intended to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs. He noted that the support would be reviewed.
On healthcare, Sanwo-Olu pointed to reforms under the Lagos State Health Management Authority, including 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 noted.
He also said retirees are being included in expanded healthcare access as part of wider social protection measures.
Speaking on transportation, the governor highlighted investments in rail systems aimed at easing commuting challenges for workers.
“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 added.
He disclosed that over N102 billion has been allocated in the 2026 budget to expand rail infrastructure, including ongoing work on the Green Line project.
On housing, Sanwo-Olu said the state government is increasing access to affordable homes through targeted schemes for 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 already been delivered, with more than 14,000 expected before the end of 2026, supported by initiatives such as the Rent-To-Own scheme.
The governor also reaffirmed his commitment to pension payments and retirement welfare for public servants.
“We owe you a retirement worth living”, he stated.
He added that the administration has continued to recognise senior civil servants through the provision of official vehicles across key sectors.
“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,”he added.
Sanwo-Olu also linked security to productivity, stressing the importance of a safe environment for workers.
“A city where people do not feel safe cannot be a city where people work productively”, he noted.
He said the government is strengthening surveillance systems, community policing, and collaboration with federal security agencies.
With 2026 marking the final full year of his administration, the governor said attention would be focused on completing key projects.
“The measure of these eight years will not be what we announced. It will be what we finished”, he said.
While acknowledging that engagements with labour unions have not always been smooth, he assured that dialogue remains open.
Sanwo-Olu ended his address by celebrating workers and recognising their role in the state’s development.
“Lagos is not great because of its government. Lagos is great because of you,” the governor added.
