morganable politics/Governance
The workers proposed a new salary structure that would see entry-level civil servants on Level 1 Step 1 earn N300,000 monthly, while top-level officers on Level 17 Step 1 would receive up to N1.5m.
KaNo—
The Federal Workers Forum has called for a sweeping review of salaries in the federal civil service, demanding an increase in the national minimum wage from N70,000 to N300,000 amid worsening economic hardship across the country.
In a letter dated September 2, 2026, addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and other top government officials, the forum argued that the current wage structure no longer reflects prevailing economic realities and has left workers struggling to survive.
The letter, jointly signed by the National Coordinator of the forum, Andrew Emelieze, and its General Secretary, Ogundele Ayodele, was also copied to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Workers Propose New Salary Structure
The workers proposed a new salary structure that would see entry-level civil servants on Level 1 Step 1 earn N300,000 monthly, while top-level officers on Level 17 Step 1 would receive up to N1.5m.
“We call for justice and immediate wage review now, adjust the federal minimum wage to N300,000 and a maximum wage of N1.5m for Level 17 officers,” the forum stated.
The demand comes barely two years after the Federal Government approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 in 2024, replacing the previous N30,000 benchmark.
However, the forum alleged that the implementation of the revised wage has been incomplete, with many workers yet to benefit fully from consequential adjustments and allowances tied to the increase.
“It will surprise you to hear that the Federal Government has not fully implemented the new national minimum wage since July 2024. We have been in the battle for full consequential adjustment of the new minimum wage,” the workers said.
According to the forum, the 2024 wage review resulted in what it described as a uniform N40,000 increment across all salary levels in the federal civil service, a move it argued failed to address disparities and the rising cost of living.
“Only N40,000 was added to the salaries of every federal worker across all levels,” the group stated, describing the adjustment as inadequate and unsustainable.
Workers Decry Current Economic Situation
The workers insisted that although the minimum wage law provides for a review every three years, the current economic situation warrants an immediate intervention.
“As a matter of fact, it is suicidal for the federal workers to continue in this ugly situation. Based on the current cost-of-living crisis, it can only be a matter of justice that the federal wages be immediately reviewed to meet up with the current economic realities in Nigeria,” the letter read.
The forum painted a grim picture of the living conditions of federal workers, citing skyrocketing costs of food, transportation, housing, electricity and cooking gas as factors that have eroded purchasing power.
“Federal workers have been enduring the situation, and everything has been frustrating and nauseating. We cannot cope again. Federal workers are dying in instalments; we are suffering in silence; our salary is too poor; it is not taking us home,” the workers lamented.
“Federal workers are now heavily indebted to microfinances and, most times, federal workers resort to phone loan apps to get transportation to work,” the forum stated.
The group added that some workers have resorted to using firewood for cooking due to the high cost of liquefied petroleum gas, underscoring the severity of the economic strain.
The forum warned that the worsening financial conditions could have broader implications for governance, including reduced productivity and an increased risk of corruption within the civil service.
“While the Federal Government is making more money now, the federal workers are underpaid and subjected to unprecedented sufferings and hardship,” the letter noted.
Describing civil servants as the “engine room of governance,” the forum argued that workers should benefit from increased national revenues and economic gains.
“The federal workers are the goose that lays the golden egg, but we are alienated from our labour,” it added.
Under the proposed salary structure, workers on Level 2 would earn N330,000, while those on Level 3 would receive N360,000. Level 4 workers would earn N390,000, Level 5 N420,000, and Level 6 N450,000.
The forum said its proposal was based on estimated monthly expenses covering feeding, transportation, accommodation, electricity, family responsibilities and other essential needs.
“Our projections here are fair, and we believe it can still be accommodated in the present budget based on the daily increased earnings and the excess crude oil sales earnings,” the group said.
Beyond wage adjustments, the forum made several additional demands aimed at improving the welfare of federal workers. These include the payment of all outstanding salaries, promotion arrears and other entitlements, as well as the immediate implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and its arrears.
The group also called for the introduction of a permanent Cost of Living Allowance to cushion the impact of inflation on workers’ incomes.
Other demands include the establishment of a Family Support Allowance, measures to address stagnation in the civil service, and the declaration of vacancies to enable regular promotions.
The forum further urged the government to provide comprehensive health insurance for workers and pensioners, as well as introduce accessible car and housing loan schemes.
In addition, it called for long-service awards, improved pension arrangements and free education for the children of federal workers and pensioners in federal institutions.
The workers also demanded tax relief measures, including reduced taxation on allowances, to improve their net income.
Forum Urges Tinubu To Implement Social Welfare Policies
Beyond the civil service, the forum appealed to the government to implement broader social welfare policies, including a comprehensive social security programme for unemployed and underemployed Nigerians.
It also advocated free medical care for children and women, as well as the establishment of federal intervention programmes to support the treatment of cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
As pressure mounts on the government to address economic challenges, analysts say the demand by federal workers could reignite negotiations between the government and labour unions over wages and welfare.
Observers note that with inflation continuing to erode incomes, the call for a significant wage increase is likely to spark debate over fiscal sustainability, government revenue and the broader implications for the economy.
