The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has called for an immediate review of Nigeria’s national minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦300,000, arguing that the current salary structure no longer reflects prevailing economic realities.
The group said recent remarks by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, acknowledging that federal workers are inadequately remunerated, validate its long-standing campaign for improved wages.
“Our outcry has been justified. The Federal Government has openly agreed with our position that federal workers are poorly paid, exploited, and dehumanised,” the Forum said in a statement jointly signed by National Coordinator Andrew Emelieze and General Secretary Ayo Ogundele.
Despite what it described as official recognition of workers’ plight, the Forum said the government’s response has fallen short of expectations.
“However, what is surprising is the government’s continued insensitivity to the suffering of federal workers despite repeated calls by the Federal Workers Forum,” the statement added.
According to the Forum, acknowledging workers’ hardships without implementing a meaningful wage increase amounts to little more than rhetoric.
The group also criticised the implementation of the existing wage structure, alleging that the ₦70,000 minimum wage has yet to be fully implemented. It further claimed that federal workers are still owed outstanding wage award balances dating back to June 2024, promotion arrears, and the 40 per cent peculiar allowance.
The Forum described the additional ₦40,000 incorporated into the new salary structure as inadequate to cushion the impact of current economic conditions.
“It is not enough to admit guilt and go to sleep. The question is: what exactly is the government doing immediately to ensure justice for federal workers and pensioners?” the statement said.
The Forum also urged the Federal Government to make any future wage review retrospective by at least one year.
