Federal civil servants have urged the Federal Government to immediately clear the outstanding three months of the N35,000 wage award, citing rising living costs and the hardship caused by delayed payments.
The wage award, introduced in 2023 as a temporary palliative during economic reforms, was negotiated with labour unions after threats of a nationwide strike. Although five months were approved, only two additional months have recently been paid, leaving workers agitated over the remaining arrears.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, some workers expressed frustration over the slow pace of payment.
A civil servant, Dr Uche Anune, criticised what he described as the government’s recurring pattern of responding only when workers threaten protest.
“Whenever there is anything at stake, the government tends to be relaxed about it until people start agitating. That should not be the case,” he said.
Another worker, Mr Joseph Edeh, said the delay was casting doubt on the government’s sincerity in meeting its commitments.
“They told us five months were outstanding; after paying two, they stopped. Why? Nobody is happy about this. What they should do is clear the remaining three months at once,” he said.
Also, Miss Franca Ofili said workers are struggling to cope with the financial strain.
“That N35,000 can go a long way. The government should pay the outstanding three months at once,” she said.
Responding to the concerns, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Bawa Mokwa, said the government had not abandoned the wage award.
He explained that payments would continue in tranches, depending on fund availability.
“With the second tranche paid in August, three remain. Government will continue to pay N35,000 monthly until the arrears are fully cleared,” he said.
Workers, however, stressed that full payment is necessary to ease economic pressure and restore confidence in the government’s labour commitments.
They called on the Federal Government to act promptly to prevent unrest and maintain trust among public sector employees.
