The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has called for the introduction of a living wage for employees of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), citing the harsh impact of inflation.
ASCSN President, Mr. Shehu Mohammed, said the current minimum wage of ₦70,000 was inadequate in the face of rising living costs.
“Inflation is one of the major challenges affecting virtually all sectors of the country, and it is hitting workers very hard,” Mohammed said.
He stressed that workers could not be expected to maintain productivity without a decent income.
“The issue of minimum wage, therefore, remains critical. We must continue to engage the government to review wages so they align with the realities on the ground. Rent, transportation, electricity, and the general cost of living have become overwhelming. These are enormous challenges and only the provision of a decent living wage can meaningfully address them,” he added.
Mohammed noted that staff expected their unit chairmen to work with management and the national leadership of the union to address pressing concerns.
“There are issues that staff expect their unit chairmen to address, in collaboration with management and, by extension, the national body. We assured them that we are not unaware of these challenges. This is normal in any organisation. That is why unions exist — to listen to members’ complaints and engage management or employers to resolve them,” he said.
The union’s demands come amid ongoing reforms at the NRS aimed at improving operational efficiency. ASCSN is also advocating improved healthcare benefits, career progression through promotions, and access to education for its members.
A senior lecturer, Dr. Sesan Peter, recommended a combination of monetary and non-monetary incentives to motivate staff. He advised that rewards should be clearly linked to the organisation’s compensation framework to achieve optimal results.
The NRS, which recently transitioned from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, is also intensifying efforts to educate its workforce on delivering improved services to Nigerians.
