The Lagos State Government has directed all civil servants to return to full on-site work, marking the end of the flexible work arrangements introduced in 2024. Workers are now required to resume the regular Monday-to-Friday office schedule.
The directive was issued following the implementation of a new minimum wage in the state. It was announced in a circular released on Tuesday, February 11, by the office of the Head of Service (HoS), Bode Agoro.
In February 2024, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had introduced flexible working conditions to ease the financial burden on workers caused by the Federal Government’s removal of the petrol subsidy. Under the arrangement, junior cadre employees worked in the office for only two days a week while working from home the remaining days. Senior staff, however, continued to report to the office daily.
The work-from-home initiative was a temporary measure aimed at mitigating the economic hardships experienced by public servants. The state government provided the allowance as part of its broader strategy to support workers during the challenging period.
However, the new circular, titled “Cancellation of the Work from Home Initiative in the Lagos State Public Service,” announced that the arrangement would be discontinued effective March 31, 2025. The decision aligns with the state’s efforts to improve service delivery and ensure workers fully engage in their official duties.
The circular stated: “Further to the implementation of the New Minimum Wage in the State Public Service and other commendable measures put in place by this administration to improve the welfare and well-being of Public Servants in Lagos State, it is hereby notified for general information that Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has approved the cancellation of the work from home initiative in the Lagos State Public Service.”
It further emphasized the importance of workers returning to their full office schedules. “Given the above, Public Servants are implored to fully rededicate themselves to the effective discharge of their duties and ensure improved service delivery in their various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs),” the circular added.
