Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The Delta State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed an executive bill seeking to institutionalise the payment of a 13th-month salary to public servants in the state, a move the Assembly described as a major milestone in workers’ welfare. The passage of the bill followed its third reading during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor. Ahead of the bill’s consideration, the Assembly suspended the relevant standing orders to allow for its immediate passage. The motion for the suspension was moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and subsequently adopted. The Speaker commended members for what he called a bold step towards strengthening workers’ welfare in Delta State, saying the Assembly had once again demonstrated that the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the people.
The legislation, known as the Delta State Payment of Thirteenth-Month Salary Bill, 2026, establishes a legal framework for the payment of the additional salary, which will be equivalent to one gross monthly salary for eligible public servants. The bill was forwarded to the Assembly by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori after the State Executive Council approved the institutionalisation of the 13th-month salary as a welfare initiative aimed at boosting workers’ morale, productivity and overall wellbeing. The governor urged the House to consider and pass the bill, which he said would ensure that the payment is no longer dependent on the discretion of any administration but becomes a legal entitlement for civil servants in the state. With the passage of the bill, Delta State ranks first among states in the country to have given legislative backing to 13th-month salary pay for public servants.
The journey to the bill’s passage began earlier in 2026 when Governor Oborevwori declared during the Civil Service Week that civil servants would begin receiving a 13th-month salary. The State Executive Council subsequently approved the institutionalisation of the policy and directed that an executive bill be transmitted to the House of Assembly for legislative backing. The Commissioner for Works and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, explained that the move was aimed at ensuring that the payment of the 13th-month salary is no longer dependent on the discretion of any administration but becomes a legal entitlement for civil servants in the state. He said that once the bill is passed into law, workers in the state would continue to enjoy the benefit beyond the tenure of the present administration.
The bill scaled first reading on September 9, 2026, and second reading on September 10, when lawmakers commended Governor Oborevwori for the initiative, saying it would improve workers’ welfare, boost morale and reduce the financial pressure associated with the festive period. The proposal came against the backdrop of rising living costs and economic challenges facing workers and families across Nigeria. During the second reading debate, lawmakers argued that the legislation could make Delta the first state in Nigeria to have a law backing the payment of a 13th-month salary. Following the debate, the Speaker referred the bill to the House Committee on Establishment, Ethics and Privileges for further scrutiny and directed the committee to report back at the next sitting.
Presenting the committee’s report during Tuesday’s plenary, the committee chairman, Hon. Edafe Emakpo, explained that the proposed law was designed to establish a legal framework for the policy while improving the welfare and productivity of workers across the state. He stated that institutionalising the payment would provide public servants with greater assurance and certainty, while contributing to improved morale, productivity and overall wellbeing. The law is expected to provide stronger institutional backing for the annual payment, enhance the welfare package of workers and encourage greater commitment to public service delivery across the state.
Speaking shortly after the passage, Speaker Guwor remarked that the legislation reflected the state government’s commitment to the well-being of its workforce. He said the passage of the bill further affirmed the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as a welfare-oriented and worker-friendly government. He expressed confidence that the policy would boost workers’ morale, increase productivity and improve service delivery, and he lauded the governor for initiating the welfare policy, which he described as a significant gesture in recognition of the contributions of public servants to the development of the state. The Speaker also expressed appreciation to the governor for his foresight in initiating what he described as a significant welfare policy for hardworking public servants in the state.
Reactions to the development have been largely positive, though labour unions have called for further engagement. The Trade Union Congress, Delta State Council, welcomed the state government’s approval of the 13th-month salary but urged the government to engage organised labour to develop a clear implementation framework. In a statement signed by the Chairman of the TUC in the state, Comrade Wilson Asekutu, the union described the policy as a positive response to a long-standing demand by workers and a recognition of the contributions of public servants to the state’s development. The union expressed concern that the announcement was made without prior consultation with recognised labour leaders, and it called for an urgent meeting to jointly define the operational framework for the payment, including the components of the 13th-month salary, eligibility criteria, method of computation and the annual payment timeline.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta State Council, also commended Governor Oborevwori for approving the payment, describing the decision as a landmark welfare initiative. In a statement jointly signed by the Council Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, and Acting Secretary, Comrade Josephine Omodior, the union praised the governor for approving the payment of a full month’s salary as the 13th-month package instead of the basic salary option adopted in some other states. The union said the initiative would provide much-needed financial relief for workers, boost their morale, strengthen their purchasing power, stimulate economic activities across the state and deepen the cordial relationship between government and organised labour. It also urged local government councils in the state to emulate the governor by extending similar welfare packages to their workers.
The passage of the bill is part of a broader pattern of welfare-focused governance in Delta State. The Oborevwori administration had previously rolled out palliative measures for workers, including a N10,000 monthly allowance per worker and rotational work schedules for those below Level 14, while staff on Level 15 and above were permitted to work out convenient schedules and operate remotely. The state has over 60,000 persons in its workforce, including those in teaching hospitals. The governor has also approved the recruitment of more teachers for public secondary schools and the equipping of technical colleges to improve education in the state. These measures, alongside the 13th-month salary, reflect an administration that has positioned workers’ welfare at the centre of its governance agenda.
For now, the bill awaits the governor’s assent to become law. Once signed, Delta State will have a formal legal framework governing the payment of a 13th-month salary to qualifying workers, potentially making the benefit an established component of the state’s workers’ welfare package. The development is being watched closely by labour stakeholders and other states, with some observers suggesting it could set a precedent for sub-national governments across Nigeria. The coming months will determine how the implementation framework takes shape and whether the promise of a permanent 13th-month salary translates into timely and equitable payments for all eligible public servants in Delta State.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments