Protest cardboard mock up and black woman in crowd or street portrait with gender equality, human rights and justice with voice and power. Law, politics and activism mockup sign for women empowerment.
The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of abandoning federal workers to what it described as “unimaginable hardship”, warning that nationwide protests and solidarity strikes would commence if the government fails to address unpaid wages, outstanding arrears and the demands of striking health workers within seven days.
In a statement issued on Monday, the forum said some federal workers were yet to receive their December 2025 salaries, while several outstanding entitlements remained unpaid despite repeated assurances from government officials.
The statement, signed by the forum’s National Coordinator, Mr. Andrew Emelieze, and General Secretary, Mr. Ogundelle Ayo, described federal workers as “paralysed” by poor wages, unpaid allowances and what it termed hostile government policies.
“The federal worker is currently paralysed, enduring unimaginable hardship and daily subjugated to confrontational state policies that have been very unfriendly,” the forum said, adding that continued silence over workers’ suffering was no longer acceptable.
FWF said the situation had been exacerbated by inflation, the removal of fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the naira, insisting that federal workers were worse off than they were three years ago.
According to the forum, the newly introduced minimum wage had failed to provide meaningful relief, alleging that only ₦40,000 was added to workers’ salaries amid soaring living costs.
“The so-called new minimum wage has been a fraud,” the group said, accusing the government of failing to cushion the impact of its economic reforms on workers.
The forum further accused the government of failing to pay three months’ wage award arrears owed since April 2023, despite assurances from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation that payments would commence in April 2025.
“Nothing has gotten to the federal workers,” the statement said.
Other outstanding entitlements listed by the forum include the balance of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance owed since July 2023, promotion arrears, duty tour allowances, hazard allowances and delayed promotions across several ministries, including education, labour and health.
FWF expressed strong support for the ongoing strike by health sector workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and resident doctors, describing the government’s handling of the dispute as careless and insensitive.
“It should actually be a shame on the federal government that the health sector, a very vital and critical sector, would go on strike for close to two months,” the forum said, adding that the impasse had resulted in avoidable loss of lives due to restricted access to healthcare.
The forum criticised the government’s insistence on the “no work, no pay” policy, describing it as “primitive, antisocial and anti-worker”, and condemned what it described as attempts to suppress industrial action through court orders restraining resident doctors from striking.
“This is bullying and defeatist. What is expected of a responsible government is constructive engagement, not unnecessary intimidation,” it said.
Beyond wage issues, the forum accused the Tinubu administration of failing to honour agreements reached with labour unions, alleging that protesting workers were often arrested, detained, suspended or otherwise sanctioned.
Issuing an ultimatum, FWF said federal workers would embark on an indefinite nationwide solidarity protest if the government failed to meet the demands of striking health workers within seven days.
It also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to declare a nationwide indefinite solidarity strike if the government does not act by January 19, 2026.
On unpaid wage award arrears, the forum warned that federal workers would occupy the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and federal secretariats nationwide from January 19 if payments were not made.
FWF further demanded an immediate review of federal workers’ salaries, the payment of outstanding December salaries, and the reinstatement of officers in the steel ministry allegedly suspended for participating in protests.
The group also rejected the Tinubu administration’s new tax regime, arguing that it had driven up the cost of goods and services, and called for its suspension.
Concluding its statement, the forum delivered a stark assessment of the administration’s record.
“We are justified to say that President Tinubu has failed the federal workers,” it said. “All his policies have brought hardship to us.”
