Civil servants in Osun State have expressed their dissatisfaction with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration over the postponed implementation of the new minimum wage.
During a gathering in Osogbo on Monday, employees voiced their frustration, stating that the introduction of the new wage has been long overdue.
One civil servant, Opemipo, highlighted the prolonged wait for the wage announcement and suggested that the delay was a tactic employed by the state government.
“I don’t understand what’s causing the hold-up. Other nearby states have already implemented their new minimum wages, so why is Osun lagging behind? The current economic hardship is becoming unbearable, and I urge Governor Adeleke to take swift action,” she said.
Another civil servant, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed disappointment that Osun was not among the first states to implement the new wage.
He noted that the current salaries are insufficient to support their families amid rising living costs.
“We are genuinely concerned about this delay. Regardless of how small the minimum wage may be, it would help alleviate some financial burdens. The government’s lack of clarity on what it intends to pay is deeply troubling for us,” he said.
“States like Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos, Kwara, and Ogun have already rolled out their new wages—why not Osun? This reflects a lack of commitment to the welfare of workers in our state. We hope the government will provide timely information regarding our situation.”
A senior civil servant, who also requested anonymity, criticized the state government for failing to communicate a clear plan for the new minimum wage
implementation. “It’s concerning that the government doesn’t seem aware of the challenges civil servants are facing during these tough times. If they were aware, I would expect them to expedite the implementation of the new wage,” he stated.
“I hope this delay isn’t a strategy to introduce an unreasonably low minimum wage. We are struggling with the harsh economic conditions, and the state government’s inaction is only compounding our difficulties.”
In response to the concerns, Kolapo Alimi, the information commissioner, announced that the committee established by the governor to review the implementation of the new minimum wage is nearing the completion of its work.
In a recent statement, Alimi assured that the committee, authorized by the governor, has been diligently working to finalize its assignment smoothly. He emphasized the governor’s commitment to a sustainable implementation of the minimum wage aligned with the administration’s five-point agenda.