The Delta State House of Assembly has begun legislative consideration of a bill seeking to make the payment of 13th-month salary a statutory entitlement for workers in the state.
The Delta State Payment of Thirteenth-Month Salary Bill, 2026, scaled second reading during Wednesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Emomotimi Guwor.
Debating the bill, lawmakers commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the initiative, saying it would improve workers’ welfare, boost morale and reduce the financial pressure associated with the festive period.
The proposal comes against the backdrop of rising living costs and economic challenges facing workers and families across Nigeria. An additional salary payment at the end of the year could provide beneficiaries with extra financial support for household expenses.
The proposed legislation is expected to undergo the necessary legislative processes, including debate, scrutiny and consideration of its financial and administrative implications before it can become law.
The lawmakers also 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, Guwor 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.
Meanwhile, the Assembly passed two bills seeking to strengthen the administration of justice in the state.
The Delta State High Court Amendment Bill, 2026, was passed after lawmakers backed a proposal to increase the number of High Court judges from 45 to 50, including the Chief Judge.
Leading the debate, the member representing Ndokwa West Constituency, Charles Emetulu0, said the increase would help reduce the backlog of cases and ease the workload on judges.
Lawmakers said the amendment would improve access to justice and speed up the determination of cases across the state.
The House also passed the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal Amendment Bill, 2026, increasing the number of judges of the court from nine to 12.
Labour stakeholders and other relevant groups are expected to closely monitor the legislative process and contribute their views as the proposal progresses.
If successfully enacted, Delta State would 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.
