Mixed Reactions as Lagos LGs, LCDAs Pay Christmas Bonuses, Distribute Food Items to Workers

By Sharafa Salami, Grace Omoyeni & Anabel Chidozie

There have been mixed reactions across Lagos State as several Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) paid Christmas bonuses and distributed food items to their workers in a bid to ease the impact of prevailing economic hardship during the festive season.

Investigations revealed significant variations in both cash bonuses and welfare packages, with amounts ranging from ₦20,000 to ₦60,000, complemented by items such as rice, cooking oil, live chickens and livestock.

In Eredo LCDA, workers received ₦40,000 as Christmas bonus, while staff of Epe Local Government were paid ₦20,000 in addition to 10kg of rice. Iba LCDA reportedly disbursed ₦50,000, while Ojokoro LCDA paid ₦40,000 to its employees.

At Ajeromi-Ifelodun LCDA, workers received ₦40,000 alongside 10kg of rice, while Ikorodu North LCDA paid ₦20,000 with rice. Ikorodu West LCDA also paid ₦20,000, complemented with 10kg of rice.

Apapa Local Government rolled out one of the most comprehensive welfare packages, paying ₦50,000 to senior staff and ₦35,000 to junior staff, in addition to 10kg of rice, three litres of cooking oil and a live chicken.

In Alimosho Local Government, senior staff received ₦40,000, junior staff ₦30,000, while temporary workers and corps members were paid ₦20,000 each. The council also distributed 25kg bags of rice to senior staff, while junior staff shared bags on a four-to-one basis. Workers described the package as a marked improvement over previous administrations and commended the council chairman, Hon. Akinpelu Ibrahim Johnson, for prioritising staff welfare.

Lagos Island Local Government paid ₦40,000 to its workers alongside rice and chicken, while Ifelodun LCDA paid ₦40,000. Isolo LCDA workers reportedly received ₦20,000.

Lekki LCDA paid ₦50,000 as Christmas bonus, while Egbe-Idimu LCDA emerged as the highest payer, disbursing ₦60,000 alongside 10kg of rice. Staff of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government received ₦50,000 and a live chicken, while Bariga LCDA also paid ₦50,000.

At Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, workers received ₦40,000, with four staff sharing a bag of rice, in addition to three litres of vegetable oil. Onigbongbo LCDA paid ₦30,000, complemented with half a bag of rice and a live chicken.

Beyond staff-focused welfare, political and community leaders also extended festive support to residents and party faithful. In Ejigbo LCDA, Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo distributed thousands of bags of rice and live chickens to residents and party members, a gesture widely praised as timely relief during the Yuletide.

Similarly, Hon. Kehinde Almaroof Oloyede (Kendoo), a prominent political figure in Oshodi-Isolo, distributed hundreds of live goats to constituents and supporters, reinforcing community solidarity and festive goodwill.

While many councils earned commendation for their gestures, workers in some areas, including Ojo Local Government and Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, were yet to receive any official communication regarding Christmas bonuses as of the time of filing this report, fueling anxiety among staff who remain hopeful of last-minute interventions.

Overall, the Christmas bonuses and welfare packages were largely seen as morale-boosting initiatives aimed at cushioning the effects of rising living costs and sustaining workforce motivation during the festive season.