About 30 percent of Lagos State civil servants sponsored for training abroad have failed to return after completing their programs, according to the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo.
He revealed this on Wednesday during the 2025 ministerial briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja, marking Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in office.
Ayantayo explained that the state government has invested heavily in foreign training programs to boost staff capacity, with approximately 8,000 civil servants granted study leave over the past three years. However, only 70 percent of them returned to service, while 30 percent absconded.
He also disclosed that between May 2022 and December 2024, 23,420 staff participated in 185 different training sessions focused on skill development, leadership, and regulatory compliance. In addition to those who absconded, he noted that many workers have left for better job opportunities abroad.
Despite these setbacks, Ayantayo highlighted a major achievement of the ministry — the increase of the minimum wage from N35,000 to N85,000, as approved by Governor Sanwo-Olu.
