By Awwal Umar Kontagora Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago , has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to im...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of workers across the state.
Speaking at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held in Minna, Governor Bago praised the resilience and dedication of workers, acknowledging their vital role in the growth and development of the state.
“I appreciate the sacrifices and perseverance of all categories of workers in Niger State. Your faith in this administration is deeply valued,” he said.
The governor extended special appreciation to teachers for their role in shaping future generations and emphasised his administration’s resolve to continue collaborating with organised labour to accelerate the payment of gratuities to retired workers.
He urged workers to maintain their cooperation and understanding, particularly as the State Secretariat undergoes reconstruction to provide a more conducive working environment.
Governor Bago also announced plans to introduce subsidised car and housing schemes for civil servants, aimed at enhancing their quality of life.
Representing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Niger State Council, Comrade Idris Abdulkareem Lafene—through the Trade Union Congress (TUC) State Chairman, Comrade Ibrahim Gana—described workers as the “backbone of society.” He commended Governor Bago’s pro-labour stance, citing several landmark achievements under his administration.
These include the implementation of the N80,000 state minimum wage, payment of wage awards to state and local government workers, resumption of gratuity payments, food palliative distribution, and the settlement of the 2019 annual leave grant.
Gana also highlighted additional milestones such as:
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Refunds of 10% contributions under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to exempted LGA workers,
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Progress in clearing 7.5% CPS arrears,
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Lifting of embargo on cadre changes and service transfers,
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Domestication of Grade Level 17 for LGA staff.
In recognition of these efforts, organised labour unanimously conferred the Workers’ Hero Award on Governor Bago, describing the gesture as both a tribute to his accomplishments and a call to action for other public officials.
Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, representing Niger East Senatorial District, congratulated workers on the occasion and called for continued support for the Bago administration. He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in collaboration with the National Assembly, is working on policies to ease the tax burden on civil servants.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji—represented by Hon. Abubakar Gomna (Bosso Constituency)—assured workers of the Assembly’s support and applauded the state government’s recent youth recruitment drive into the civil service.
The celebration featured a colourful parade by unions under organised labour and the official presentation of the Hero Award to Governor Bago.
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