To mitigate the impact of rising commuting costs on its workforce, the Ogun State Government has approved a ₦10,000 monthly transport allowance for civil servants, alongside a weekly day off for non-essential staff. The dual relief package will run for three months, commencing in April 2026.
The Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, announced the measures on Thursday in a statement outlining the state’s response to mounting economic pressures triggered by the nationwide increase in fuel prices.
According to Onasanya, the ₦10,000 special transport allowance is intended as direct income support to help employees manage higher transport fares and the broader rise in the cost of living.
The allowance will be disbursed monthly from April to June 2026 to all categories of civil servants in the state.
“Towards providing succour to the teeming workforce of Ogun State in light of the hike in the pump price of fuel in the country, and its attendant impact on the cost of transportation and general standard of living, Gov. Dapo Abiodun has graciously approved one day off duty in a week for workers in the state,” Onasanya stated.
He added, “This is in addition to the payment of ₦10,000.00 special transport allowance as palliatives for three months commencing from April 2026.”
While the transport allowance applies across the entire workforce, the weekly day-off arrangement will exclude personnel engaged in critical functions. Onasanya identified medical workers, teachers, judicial staff, security operatives, and heads of departments as exempt from the reduced workweek.
He emphasised that the exemption is necessary to prevent disruptions to essential public services, noting that affected officers will continue to receive the ₦10,000 monthly allowance.
To ensure effective implementation, accounting officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been directed to develop structured rosters for the day-off schedule of eligible staff. This is aimed at balancing employee welfare with uninterrupted service delivery.
The Head of Service noted that the administration expects the relief package to ease immediate financial pressures on workers, while sustaining morale and productivity within the public service. He described Gov. Abiodun’s approval as a “timely intervention” and urged civil servants to reciprocate with renewed dedication and efficiency.
The policy comes against the backdrop of sustained increases in petrol prices nationwide, which have significantly raised transport fares and daily living costs for millions of Nigerians. By combining direct financial support with a reduced workweek, the Ogun State Government is adopting a dual strategy to alleviate workforce strain—boosting disposable income while reducing commuting frequency.
With implementation scheduled for April 2026, MDAs across the state are expected to finalise internal arrangements in the coming weeks to ensure the smooth rollout of both the transport allowance and the adjusted work schedule.
