Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, describing them as key partners in the state’s development.
Speaking at the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at Murtala Square, the governor highlighted major interventions aimed at easing economic pressures on workers, particularly in transportation.
He disclosed that the proposed Kaduna Light Rail project, recently approved by the Federal Executive Council, would complement ongoing efforts to improve urban mobility. Sani thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the project, noting that it would provide safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for residents.
According to the governor, his administration had already introduced a free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus service to cushion the impact of subsidy reforms. He said 100 buses have been deployed, benefiting over 1.5 million residents within nine months and saving an estimated ₦1.4 billion in transport costs.
“Our relationship with organised labour has been constructive, and we remain committed to sustaining this partnership through dialogue and cooperation,” he said.
On workers’ welfare, Sani said the government had prioritised retirees, with a recent disbursement of ₦4.289 billion bringing total payments for pensions, gratuities, and death benefits to ₦17.796 billion, benefiting more than 8,300 individuals.
He also outlined investments in the health sector, including the allocation of 15 per cent of the 2026 budget to healthcare. This, he said, has enabled the upgrade of 255 primary healthcare centres, establishment of 23 centres of excellence, and construction of a 300-bed specialist hospital, alongside improvements in health workers’ welfare.
In the education sector, the governor said the administration had constructed 736 classrooms, renovated over 1,200, recruited 10,000 teachers, and trained more than 33,000 personnel. He added that 62 new secondary schools have been completed, with 50 more under construction, while additional projects are underway to address out-of-school children.
Sani further noted that nearly 150 road projects covering over 1,345 kilometres are ongoing to boost connectivity, trade, and economic growth. He added that peace-building efforts in areas such as Birnin-Gwari, Giwa, Kajuru, and Igabi have restored stability, enabling farmers to return to their fields.
The governor acknowledged existing challenges, including limited resources and rising demands, but stressed the need for continued collaboration with stakeholders to sustain progress.
In his remarks, the Kaduna State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, commended the government’s free transport scheme, pension payments, and reinstatement of Kaduna State Water Corporation workers on the payroll.
While praising the implementation of the minimum wage, he urged the government to address consequential adjustments for senior civil servants.