RismadarVoice Reporters
September 3, 2026
The Federal Workers Forum has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to urgently review the salaries of federal civil servants, demanding that the national minimum wage be increased from N70,000 to N300,000.
The workers also proposed a new salary structure that would place the maximum basic salary for Level 17 officers at N1.5 million, arguing that the current wage system no longer reflects the economic realities facing workers.
The demands were contained in a letter dated September 2, 2026, signed by the National Coordinator of the FWF, Andrew Emelieze, and its General Secretary, Ogundele Ayodele.
The letter was addressed to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives through the Clerk of the National Assembly, with President Tinubu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation listed among the recipients.
The forum said the proposed wage adjustment had become necessary because of the rising cost of living and what it described as the incomplete implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage approved in 2024.
According to the group, federal workers have yet to receive the full consequential adjustment and other allowances associated with the new wage regime.
It argued that although the 2024 minimum wage increased the lowest wage from N30,000 to N70,000, workers across the federal civil service effectively received only an additional N40,000.
The FWF said the sharp increases in the prices of food, transportation, accommodation, electricity, cooking gas and other essential goods and services had significantly weakened workers’ purchasing power.
The forum maintained that waiting until the statutory review period in 2027 would be unrealistic given the current economic pressures confronting federal employees.
It described the situation as an urgent matter requiring government intervention to prevent further deterioration in workers’ welfare.
The group also claimed that some federal employees had accumulated debts from microfinance institutions and digital loan platforms simply to meet basic needs, including transportation to work.
It further alleged that some workers had resorted to using firewood because of the high cost of cooking gas.
According to the forum, the worsening financial situation could affect productivity and potentially create an environment conducive to corruption.
Under the salary structure proposed by the workers, a Level 1 Step 1 employee would earn N300,000 monthly, while the amount would increase progressively across the grades.
The proposed figures include N330,000 for Level 2, N360,000 for Level 3, N390,000 for Level 4, N420,000 for Level 5, N450,000 for Level 6 and N480,000 for Level 7.
Level 8 workers would receive N510,000, while Level 9 would earn N550,000 and Level 10, N600,000.
The forum proposed N700,000 for Level 12, N750,000 for Level 13, N800,000 for Level 14, N1 million for Level 15, N1.2 million for Level 16 and N1.5 million for Level 17 officers.
It said the N300,000 minimum wage proposal was based on estimated monthly expenses covering food, transportation, accommodation, family support, electricity, cooking gas, telecommunications, water and other basic utilities.
Beyond the proposed wage increase, the FWF demanded payment of outstanding salaries, promotion arrears and other entitlements owed federal workers.
It also called for the implementation and payment of arrears of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, full consequential adjustments arising from the 2024 minimum wage and the introduction of a permanent Cost of Living Allowance.
Other demands include a Family Support Allowance, an end to stagnation in the civil service, declaration of vacancies to facilitate promotions, comprehensive health insurance for workers and pensioners, as well as car and housing loan schemes.
The forum further requested improved pension arrangements, long-service awards and free education for the children of federal workers and pensioners in federal institutions.
It called for reduced taxation on workers’ allowances and other tax relief measures to cushion the impact of the economic hardship.
The group also urged the government to introduce a comprehensive social security programme for unemployed and underemployed Nigerians, alongside free medical care for children, pregnant women and elderly citizens.
It appealed for federal intervention in the treatment of cancer and other life-threatening diseases and called for stronger security measures, including efforts to secure the release of kidnapped Nigerians.
The FWF also asked the National Assembly to investigate reports that part of workers’ contributory pension savings may have been borrowed by the executive, demanding a refund if the allegation is confirmed.
The workers further called for the restoration of petrol subsidies, price-control measures for essential commodities, stronger local production and industrialisation policies, and measures to improve the purchasing power of Nigerians.
The forum urged the National Assembly to present its demands to President Tinubu and take urgent action, insisting that federal workers should not be forced to wait until July 2027 for a salary review.
It said improved remuneration was necessary to safeguard workers’ welfare, boost productivity and enable public servants to effectively implement government policies.
