LABOUR IS THE ENGINE OF PROSPERITY”: OKUBADEJO CELEBRATES OGUN WORKERS, LINKS REFORMS TO WORKFORCE DIGNITY

*Finance Commissioner Says Motivated Workforce Is Key to Sustainable Growth in Ogun*  

Ogun State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Hon. Dapo Okubadejo, has described labour as the “true currency of prosperity,” calling workers the most vital force behind the state’s sustainable economic growth.  

In his 2026 Workers’ Day message, Okubadejo praised the resilience, discipline, and quiet sacrifice of workers across Ogun, saying their daily efforts anchor the state’s economic stability and long-term development plans.  

Okubadejo said Workers’ Day must go beyond symbolism. “It is a time to honor the dignity of labour and to recommit to policies that boost productivity, secure jobs, and improve workers’ welfare,” he stated.  

He reaffirmed that the Ogun State Government is pursuing fiscal and economic reforms that are growth-driven, inclusive, and responsive to the realities of the workforce. The administration, he noted, recognizes that a motivated workforce and a thriving economy are inseparable.  

To that end, Okubadejo said deliberate steps are being taken to build an environment where businesses can scale and where workers — in the public service, private sector, and informal economy — can unlock their full potential.  

The Commissioner highlighted that workers across all sectors often make sacrifices that escape public notice but remain indispensable to Ogun’s progress. Their roles, he said, are central to executing the state’s economic agenda.  

Okubadejo urged workers to stay steadfast and committed to excellence, stressing that collective dedication and shared purpose are what will produce a stronger, more prosperous Ogun State.  

He closed by thanking the entire workforce for their unwavering commitment and restated government’s resolve to build an economy that truly works for everyone.  

1. *Policy Direction*: Framing labour as “the true currency of prosperity” signals that upcoming budgets and investment policies will be benchmarked against job quality, wage growth, and worker protections.  

2. *Inclusion of the Informal Sector*: By naming informal workers alongside public and private employees, the government hints at broader social protection and formalization programs.  

3. *Productivity-Welfare Loop*: The message ties economic strategy directly to worker welfare, suggesting reforms will aim to convert growth into tangible gains — better pay, safer workplaces, and upskilling.  

4. *Social Contract*: May Day statements double as trust-building. With living costs still a concern in 2026, reaffirming a “people-centred” approach is key to industrial peace.  

- Specifics on wage reviews, pension payments, and MSME support in the next fiscal cycle.  

- How “enabling environment” translates into power, infrastructure, and credit access for employers.  

- Labour unions’ response to the Commissioner’s pledges, especially on implementation timelines.  

The administration is anchoring Ogun’s economic narrative on its workforce. The challenge ahead is converting May Day goodwill into measurable improvements in livelihoods and job security.  

*#WorkersDay2026 

#OgunState 

#DapoOkubadejo 

#DignityOfLabour #ProsperityThroughLabour*