The Governor of Nigeria’s North Central State of Kogi, Ahmed Ododo, has announced an additional one-year tax relief for workers in the state as part of celebrations marking International Workers’ Day. The move aims to alleviate the impact of ongoing economic challenges and reaffirms his administration’s focus on the well-being of its workforce.
Building on a previous tax holiday introduced in October 2024 alongside a new minimum wage of 72,500 Naira, Governor Ododo announced that the tax relief, initially set to expire in October 2025, will now continue until October 2026.
Speaking at the Workers’ Day celebration in Lokoja, Governor Ododo explained the decision was a response to the rising cost of living and the need to support families navigating current economic realities. “We understand the economic realities our people face, and we are taking practical steps to mitigate the effects,” he stated. “The additional one-year tax relief is a continuation of the policy we launched alongside the new minimum wage in October last year.”
In a further boost for public sector workers, Governor Ododo also announced the implementation of a 40-year career service policy and an increased retirement age of 65 for professional healthcare workers in the state. This aligns with national trends and is intended to retain experienced personnel within the health sector.
As part of efforts to improve infrastructure for workers’ organisations, the Governor approved the provision of a water facility at the State Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Lokoja. This is expected to ensure a consistent water supply for the Labour House and surrounding communities.
Reiterating his administration’s priorities, Governor Ododo assured workers of the continued timely payment of salaries, harmonised pensions, and gratuities, emphasising that workers’ welfare remains central to his agenda. He also highlighted ongoing government initiatives such as free healthcare for pensioners and increased investment in education, health, and agricultural development programmes targeting young people and women across the state.
The Governor called for continued cooperation between the state government and organised labour, stressing that industrial peace and harmony are essential for inclusive growth and development.
The Kogi State NLC Chairman, Gabriel Amari, expressed his appreciation for the government’s proactive approach to workers’ welfare, including the prompt payment of salaries, the implementation of the new minimum wage, pension harmonisation, and ongoing training for workers. He also commended the administration for appointing labour leaders to key roles and involving organised labour in important state decision-making processes.
The Head of Service, Elijah Evinemi, praised the Governor’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and urged citizens to support the administration’s efforts to ease the economic burden on workers and the wider population.
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