By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the public service through extensive workforce development, digital transformation initiatives, and improved workers’ welfare across ministries, departments, and agencies.
This was disclosed during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, where the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, presented the ministry’s performance scorecard under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Ayantayo revealed that no fewer than 7,116 public officers benefited from 54 in-plant and in-service training programs, comprising 26 generic courses and 28 specialized skill-gap trainings aimed at improving productivity and efficiency in the civil service.
He added that the ministry processed 744 training sign-off requests across 148 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), while also organizing a nine-month Foundation Course in Human Resource Management for stagnated Chief Clerical Officers. A total of 104 officers were selected after a rigorous screening and Computer-Based Test.
In addition, 248 officers were sponsored for professional conferences, including 20 participants who attended international conferences and 228 who participated locally. The commissioner also disclosed that 4,830 officers were approved for further studies, with 25 on full-time programs and 4,795 on part-time studies.
Ayantayo noted that the ministry implemented five local programs and projects to enhance leadership capacity and governance within the public service, alongside the Public-Private Industry Exchange Programme introduced in 2025, which deployed 50 officers to private sector organizations for practical exposure.
He further stated that 10 officers were approved for the Policy, Strategy, and Leadership Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, while 100 mid-level officers participated in the Public Service Accelerator Programme focused on leadership, strategic management, and adaptive governance. Fifteen officers also benefited from short courses on strategic leadership, ethics, and policy formulation.
On digital transformation, Ayantayo disclosed that the state government, in partnership with Potenergy Limited, trained 1,000 officers under the Accelerated Digital Literacy Training Certification Programme aimed at improving digital competence across the public service.
In the area of industrial relations, he said the government sustained industrial harmony through proactive engagement and the resolution of labor disputes. He noted that 300 local union leaders and stakeholders were trained, while disputes involving the Nigeria Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees and issues relating to the Medical Health Workers Union nomenclature were resolved amicably.
Ayantayo also disclosed that the state government approved and paid nine months of outstanding salary arrears for staff of state-owned tertiary institutions following engagements with the Joint Action Committee of Lagos State University, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, and Lagos State University of Education between August and October 2025, while the management of LASU settled the remaining three months between November 2025 and January 2026.
He added that the government approved ₦3.67 billion for arrears arising from the 25 percent and 35 percent salary increment for 6,293 academic and non-academic staff in Lagos-owned tertiary institutions, as well as ₦378.8 million for salary differentials owed to medical and dental doctors for July and August 2025.
On pensions and welfare, the commissioner stated that contributory pension issues involving the Association of Resident Doctors were resolved in April 2026. He also announced a ₦32,000 monthly pension increment for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme in line with the National Minimum Wage Amendment Act 2024.
Ayantayo further revealed that the government paid the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund for 470 resident doctors, amounting to ₦456.558 million.
He added that 1,032 Certificates of Service were issued to retiring officers across various grade levels, while the ministry conducted the 2026 Personnel Budget bilateral discussions with MDAs between May and June 2025.
The commissioner also highlighted that the ministry attended 222 Personnel Management Board meetings covering confirmation, promotion, recruitment, discipline, conversion, and other staff matters involving thousands of officers.
He said the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) recorded major reforms, including the establishment of a digital audio-visual studio, the upgrade of training facilities and guest lodges, the creation of a Toastmasters Club, the introduction of a Book Nest Library, and the implementation of revised structured training programs.
Other initiatives include leadership and succession planning programs, counseling and mentoring services, strategic institutional partnerships, gender development studies, and expanded capacity-building interventions aimed at improving efficiency and professionalism in the Lagos State Public Service.
Ayantayo reiterated the state government’s commitment to continuous manpower development, institutional reforms, and enhanced welfare for workers in line with its vision of a more efficient and responsive public service.