Gov Idris: The Veteran Labour Leader Who Is Worker-Friendly- Yahaya Sarki
No government can achieve meaningful development without a strong, robust and efficient civil service. The civil service is the backbone of any administration, providing the platform for sustainable economic growth and good governance.
As we commemorate the 2025 Workers’ Day, it is pertinent to reflect on the indelible achievements of Comrade, Dr. Nasir Idris, the Kauran Gwandu, in uplifting the civil service in Kebbi State, two years into his administration. His leadership has ushered in unprecedented reforms and welfare programmes for workers, a pacesetter in Nigeria.
Governor Idris’ background as a former teacher, unionist, and labour leader has put him in a unique position to understand and respond to the needs of workers in the state. Since assumption of office in 2023, he has championed policies aimed at improving the general welfare, wellbeing, and working conditions of civil servants in the state.
One of his earliest actions was the prompt settlement of outstanding pension and gratuity arrears. Today, Kebbi is the only state in Nigeria that is fully up-to-date in the payment of pensions, gratuities, and death benefits to workers across the State, Local Government Councils and Local Government Education Authorities. No worker is owed a single kobo in this regard.
Salaries are paid promptly, with workers consistently receiving alerts by the 23rd of every month. The same applies to retirees. Leave grants are also disbursed regularly and without delay. Temporary and casual staff have been absorbed into permanent and pensionable appointment, abolishing casual labour in the state workforce.
In the healthcare sector, Governor Idris addressed salary disparities between state-employed medical personnel and their federal counterparts. Doctors and medical staff now receive salaries similar to those in federal health institutions—an important step in curbing brain drain.
Governor Idris was also in the forefront and led the vanguard for implementation of the new national minimum wage in the country. While the federal government approved N70,000, Kebbi State raised the bar by adopting a N75,000 minimum wage, setting a national record.
This bold move attracted widespread commendation, with the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, praising the governor’s leadership during the official signing ceremony in Birnin Kebbi.
Another landmark achievement is the completion of the state-of-the-art Secretariat Complex at Gwadangaji. Designed to accommodate all ministries under one roof, the complex promotes administrative efficiency, coordination, and an enabling environment for optimal performance and service delivery.
The welfarism policies of the Kauran Gwandu administration continue to inspire dedication, productivity, and renewed sense of purpose among workers—driving the overall development of Kebbi State.
Governor Idris also reaffirmed his commitment in this respect during the recent courtesy visit to the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) leaders led by the National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi.
‘My administration has remained steadfast and consistent in the payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, death benefits, leave grants, and other entitlements. Welfare of workers is of paramount importance to this government. I will never let them down’ he said.
In the words of NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, during the signing ceremony of the N75,000 minimum wage:
‘Kebbi is a state where you hear positive news since Kaura assumed power.
Indeed, Comrade, Dr. Nasir Idris has proven himself to be the most Labour-Friendly Governor in the country—a true champion of work ethics and welfare of workers- Mr. Yahaya Sarki, who is Governor Nasir Idris’ . Special Adviser, Media & Publicity, writes from Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State
