Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has disclosed that his administration inherited a fractured and distrustful relationship with organised labour, marked by years of silence, tension, and marginalisation.
Speaking at the 2025 International Workers’ Day celebration held at Murtala Square in Kaduna, Governor Sani said that since taking office in May 2023, his government has made deliberate efforts to mend relations with labour unions, transforming the once-adversarial dynamic into a cooperative and forward-looking partnership.
“When we assumed office in May 2023, we inherited a strained relationship with organised labour, characterised by distrust, silence, and suppression,” the governor told the crowd. “But from day one, we understood that no meaningful developmental agenda could take root without first rebuilding mutual respect and understanding.”
His remarks drew enthusiastic applause from thousands of workers, union leaders, and members of civil society gathered for the celebration. Many attendees viewed his comments as a direct acknowledgement of past grievances and a commitment to ongoing collaboration.
Governor Sani’s administration has been credited with a series of significant policy decisions that have reset the state’s engagement with workers. Chief among them is the introduction of a ¦ 72,000 minimum wage for all state employees, a move widely praised for responding to the rising cost of living and setting a new benchmark for worker compensation across Nigeria.
In addition to wage improvements, the governor addressed longstanding financial obligations owed to workers. In April 2025, his administration disbursed ¦ 3.8 billion to clear outstanding gratuities, death benefits, and pension arrears. With this latest release, the total paid in such entitlements since May 2023 stands at ¦ 10.2 billion, an unprecedented sum in the state’s history.
The administration has also taken steps to strengthen key public service sectors. A total of 4,800 new personnel have been recruited into the education and healthcare systems, an initiative aimed at improving delivery in both sectors. Governor Sani further announced that the retirement age for academic staff in state-owned tertiary institutions has been extended to 65, allowing the state to retain experienced educators and reinforce institutional continuity.
To cushion the impact of rising transport costs on workers, the government introduced a subsidised transportation scheme. The programme includes the deployment of 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and the distribution of 4,000 motorcycles, aimed at improving workers’ access to affordable and reliable mobility.
Another major intervention was the reactivation of the ENDWELL teachers’ welfare fund, which had been suspended for years. Now fully operational, the fund allows educators to benefit from the financial support schemes that had long been withheld.
Governor Sani also addressed the issue of security, citing the positive impact of the Kaduna Peace Model—a non-kinetic strategy developed in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser. According to the governor, the model has contributed significantly to the decline in incidents of banditry and terrorism, making the state safer for residents and workers alike.
In his concluding remarks, the governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and to building a society where effort and dedication are properly recognised.
“Our goal is simple: to build a state where every citizen can thrive, and where workers are respected and rewarded for their contributions to our society,” he said.
The event also featured tributes from labour leaders. Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kaduna State, commended Governor Sani’s leadership. “Governor Sani has shown, through his actions, that workers are valued partners in governance,” he said, describing the 2025 May Day celebrations as the most impactful in recent memory.
