The Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), Bashorun Akinwale Akinwole, has commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his unwavering commitment to workforce development and workers’ welfare.
This was just as the Commission concluded a comprehensive staff verification exercise across all 33 local government areas of the state.
The exercise, which commenced on August 11, 2025, was supervised by the LGSC Chairman alongside board members, the Permanent Secretary, and other principal officers of the Commission.
Speaking with journalists on Friday in Ibadan North local government, Akinwole said the exercise was aimed at assessing compliance with service rules, reviewing staff welfare and office conditions, authenticating the workforce on council payrolls, updating staff records, and generating accurate workforce data to enhance service delivery.
“The exercise has given us useful insights into staff conduct, office conditions, and the actual workforce strength across the state,” Akinwole said, adding that a comprehensive report will soon be released.
He further urged council staff to demonstrate greater commitment through punctuality and diligence while charging senior officers to provide professional guidance, maintain harmony with council chairmen, and ensure discipline through adequate supervision.
Why the staff verification exercise?
The Commission’s Permanent Secretary, Deacon Taiwo Adewale, explained that the audit became necessary to provide accurate statistics on local government staff strength, which has declined over the years due to retirement, death, and other factors. He noted that the exercise also served as an avenue to measure discipline levels, particularly attendance at work.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Local Government Administration in Oyo State, Alhaji Owolabi Aderemi, lauded the initiative, describing it as a laudable step that would aid government planning.
NULGE commends Makinde, Bashorun Akinwole
In the same vein, the President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Mr. Ayobami Olusegun Adeogun, praised the leadership of the Commission, noting that the state-wide engagement was unprecedented.
“This step has sent a positive signal to the workforce that we have the right leadership in place. For years, we have not witnessed this level of interaction where the leadership visited all 33 councils. The database generated will greatly improve workforce planning,” Adeogun stated.
The Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State chapter, who also doubles as the Chairman of Egbeda Local Government, Hon. Sanda Sikiru Oyedele, commended the LGSC Chairman for what he described as a groundbreaking initiative.
He affirmed that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration remains committed to creating a conducive working atmosphere for all civil servants in the state, urging workers to reciprocate the gesture by remaining steadfast in their duties and adhering to service rules and regulations.
