The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has asked President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to urgently review the salaries of federal civil servants and increase the national minimum wage from N70,000 to N300,000.
The demand was contained in a letter dated September 2, 2026, signed by the National Coordinator of the forum, 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. Tinubu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation were also listed among the recipients.
The workers proposed a new salary structure that would see Level 1 Step 1 workers earn N300,000 monthly, while the salary of Level 17 Step 1 officers would rise to N1.5 million.
The forum said the proposed review had become necessary because the current wage structure no longer reflected the rising cost of living faced by federal workers.
“We call for justice and immediate wage review now, adjust the federal minimum wage to N300,000 and a maximum wage of N1.5m for the Level 17 officers.”
The FWF also alleged that the N70,000 minimum wage approved in 2024 has not been fully implemented, particularly the consequential adjustments and related allowances.
According to the group, the 2024 wage increase from N30,000 to N70,000 effectively resulted in a flat N40,000 additionto the salaries of federal workers across the various levels.
“Only N40,000 was added to the salaries of every federal worker across all levels.”
The forum argued that the statutory three-year review period attached to the 2024 minimum wage should not prevent the government from responding to what it described as an urgent deterioration in workers’ purchasing power.
It said the rising cost of food, transportation, accommodation, electricity, cooking gas and other basic necessities had made the existing wage increasingly inadequate.
“It is suicidal for the federal workers to continue in this ugly situation. Hence, based on the current cost-of-living crisis, it can only be a matter of justice that the federal wages be immediately reviewed to meet up with the current economic realities in Nigeria.”
The workers further claimed that some federal employees had accumulated debts with microfinance institutions and digital loan platforms because of their inability to meet basic expenses.
“Federal workers are now heavily indebted to microfinances and, most times, federal workers resort to phone loan apps to get transportation to work.”
The forum also alleged that some workers had resorted to using firewood because they could no longer afford cooking gas, warning that prolonged financial hardship could affect productivity and create conditions that encourage corruption.
Under the proposed salary structure, Level 2 workers would earn N330,000, while Level 3 would receive N360,000 and Level 4 would earn N390,000.
The proposed salaries would rise progressively to N420,000 for Level 5, N450,000 for Level 6, N480,000 for Level 7, N510,000 for Level 8 and N550,000 for Level 9.
The forum proposed N600,000 for Level 10, 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.
The FWF said its N300,000 minimum wage proposal was based on estimated monthly expenses covering feeding, transportation, accommodation, family support, electricity, cooking gas, communication, water and other household needs.
Beyond the proposed salary increase, the workers demanded the payment of outstanding salaries, promotion arrears and other entitlements owed to federal employees.
They also called for the immediate implementation and payment of arrears of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, full consequential adjustment arising from the 2024 minimum wage and the introduction of a permanent Cost of Living Allowance.
Other demands included a Family Support Allowance, an end to stagnation in the civil service, declaration of vacancies for promotions, comprehensive health insurance for workers and pensioners, car and housing loan schemes, long-service awards and improved pension arrangements.
The forum also requested free education for the children of federal workers and pensioners in federal institutions, reduced taxation on workers’ allowances and additional tax relief measures.
On broader social welfare, the FWF urged the Federal Government to establish a comprehensive social security programme for unemployed and underemployed Nigerians.
It also called for free medical care for children, pregnant women and elderly citizens, alongside federal intervention programmes for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
On security, the workers urged the government to strengthen efforts to tackle insecurity and secure the release of kidnapped Nigerians.
The forum also called on the National Assembly to investigate reports that part of workers’ contributory pension savings was being borrowed by the executive.
“We like to bring to the notice of the National Assembly that we are hearing rumours that part of our contributory pension savings is being borrowed by the executive. We are calling for investigations and an immediate stoppage cum refund if it is true.”
The workers further demanded the return of petrol subsidy, price-control measures for essential goods and services, stronger local production and industrialisation, and measures to address the declining purchasing power of Nigerians.
The FWF urged lawmakers to take up the matter with Tinubu, insisting that federal workers should not have to wait until July 2027 for another wage review.
The forum described its demands as an emergency intervention aimed at improving workers’ welfare and ensuring that civil servants can effectively carry out government policies.
It concluded by appealing to the National Assembly to act on the proposals and help secure what it described as a more sustainable wage structure for federal workers.
How did this story make you feel?
Join the conversation
Share a thoughtful response. Submissions may be reviewed before appearing.
