Federal civil servants have called on the Federal Government to promptly settle the outstanding three months of the ₦35,000 wage award, noting that the ongoing delay exacerbates their financial difficulties amid rising living costs.
This wage award, negotiated with labour unions in 2023, was intended as a temporary measure to alleviate economic pressures during the government’s reform initiatives.
While five months have been partially paid in staggered installments, there is growing frustration over the government’s delay in settling the balance.
Labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have persistently demanded full payment, emphasizing that the award was a part of a binding agreement reached to avert nationwide strikes last year.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday, some civil servants criticized what they perceive as the government’s reluctance to act until workers resort to protests.
“I am seeing a pattern that whenever there is anything at stake, the government tends to be relaxed about it until some people start agitating or engaging in some form of protest. That should not be the case,” said a worker, Dr. Uche Anune.
Another civil servant, Joseph Edeh, questioned the government’s sincerity, pointing out that only two months of the outstanding five-month arrears have been paid.
“They told us that we had an outstanding of five months; after paying two months, they stopped. Why are they treating us like this? Nobody is happy about this. What they should do is clear the remaining three months at once and forget about it,” he said.
Similarly, Miss Franca Ofili explained that the delay has intensified financial pressure on many workers.
“The government should clear the arrears because that ₦35,000 can go a long way in solving our financial problems. We need the money; they should pay the outstanding three months at once,” she said.
Addressing these concerns, the Federal Government, through the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, reiterated its commitment to completing the payments.
“Contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the Federal Government has not reneged on payment of the wage award arrears. With the payment of the second tranche in August, three tranches remain to exhaust the arrears. The government will continue to pay ₦35,000 per month until the outstanding arrears are fully cleared,” he stated.
Mokwa explained that the staggered payment is due to the availability of funds but assured workers that the arrears will be fully settled.
Civil servants insist that clearing the arrears is essential not only to ease personal hardship but also to maintain confidence in the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
They urged the government to act swiftly to prevent agitation and ensure industrial harmony.
