Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has granted an additional one-year tax holiday to workers in the state, a measure aimed at easing the burden of economic challenges while reinforcing his administration’s dedication to workers’ welfare.
The new extension follows an earlier tax relief introduced in October 2024, which was part of the rollout of the new national minimum wage set at N72,500.
In a statement issued Thursday by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, it was revealed that the relief, originally scheduled to expire in October 2025, will now continue until October 2026.
Governor Ododo announced the extension at the 2025 Workers’ Day event held at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre in Lokoja. He explained that the decision was driven by rising living costs and the need to assist families in adjusting to the current economic climate.
“We understand the economic realities our people face, and we are taking practical steps to mitigate the effects.
“The additional one-year tax relief is a continuation of the policy we launched alongside the new minimum wage in October last year,” he said.
In further measures to boost the welfare of workers, the Governor introduced a 40-year career service policy and raised the retirement age for professional health workers in the state to 65 years. This move, he noted, aligns with national reforms and is intended to retain skilled personnel in the healthcare sector.
Governor Ododo also approved the installation of a water facility at the State Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Lokoja, known as the Comrade Onuh Edoka Labour House. The facility is expected to provide a steady water supply for both the Labour House and nearby communities.
Reiterating his administration’s priorities, the Governor pledged to maintain the prompt payment of workers’ salaries, harmonized pensions, and gratuities, emphasizing that the welfare of workers remains at the core of his governance agenda.
He further pointed to ongoing initiatives under his administration, including free healthcare services for retirees, increased investment in education, healthcare, and agricultural development programs targeting women and youth across the state.
Governor Ododo called for continued collaboration between the state government and organized labour, stressing the importance of industrial harmony for sustainable growth and development.
In his address, Kogi State NLC Chairman, Comrade Gabriel Amari, expressed gratitude to the state government for its proactive approach to workers’ welfare, citing prompt salary payments, the implementation of the new minimum wage, pension harmonization, and ongoing training for workers.
He also applauded the administration for appointing labour leaders to strategic positions and for involving organized labour in key decision-making processes.
The Head of Service, Dr. Elijah Evinemi, commended Governor Ododo’s efforts to enhance workers’ welfare and encouraged citizens to support the government’s initiatives aimed at alleviating economic pressures on workers and the broader population.
