Ogun workers weekly day off has been approved by Governor Dapo Abiodun alongside a ₦10,000 monthly transport allowance for public servants, as part of measures to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs and economic pressure on workers.
The decision comes amid increasing economic challenges across Nigeria, particularly following the rise in fuel prices, which has significantly affected transportation costs and living expenses.
State governments have introduced various palliative measures to support workers, especially civil servants who rely on daily commuting. Ogun State joins others adopting targeted interventions aimed at easing financial strain while maintaining public service efficiency.
The approval of Ogun workers weekly day off was announced in a statement by the State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya.
He explained that the initiative includes one day off duty per week for eligible public servants, alongside a ₦10,000 monthly transport allowance. The measures will take effect from April 2026 and are expected to run for an initial period of three months.
According to Onasanya, the policy is designed to “alleviate the commuting challenges faced by workers, while also boosting morale and enhancing productivity across the public service.”
However, he clarified that some categories of workers will be exempt from the weekly day-off arrangement due to the critical nature of their duties.
“These include medical personnel, judicial officers, teaching and non-teaching staff at all levels of education, security personnel, Accounting Officers, Heads of Departments, as well as other critical duty officers whose presence is indispensable,” he said.
Despite the exemption, affected workers will still benefit from the ₦10,000 transport allowance.
The Head of Service further stated that Accounting Officers in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies will determine the specific day off for eligible workers in a way that does not disrupt government operations.
He described the intervention as timely and commended the governor for prioritising workers’ welfare amid economic challenges. The introduction of Ogun workers weekly day off reflects growing efforts by subnational governments to mitigate the impact of economic reforms on public sector employees.
The policy is expected to reduce commuting frequency, lower transport costs, and improve work-life balance for eligible workers. At the same time, exemptions for essential services highlight the need to maintain continuity in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and security.
The measure also signals a broader trend of state-level interventions aimed at cushioning economic hardship.
