Federal workers across the country are raising concerns over what they perceive as selective payment of the newly signed N70,000 minimum wage.
While some employees in core civil service departments have reported receiving additional funds, many, particularly in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), have yet to see any adjustments in their salaries. Workers from federal universities are also part of this group, sparking further discontent among public servants.
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A staff member from one MDA, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed frustration, stating, “We are fed up with the whole system. It is bad enough that the government removed fuel subsidy, causing hardship and hunger, but now the minimum wage that was signed into law since July has not been implemented for many of us.”
The worker added, “Many of us are sleeping in offices or walking long distances to work. We can no longer support our families, and some of our children have not resumed school due to the financial burden.”
However, officials in the Accountant-General’s and Budget offices presented differing explanations for the situation. According to a source in the Accountant-General’s office, the new minimum wage was incorporated into September’s salary. Meanwhile, the Budget Office explained that a temporary flat payment of N40,000 was issued to all federal workers while awaiting the official wage template.
In a statement obtained from the government, it was clarified that the N40,000 reflected in September’s pay slips is a provisional measure, pending the finalization of the minimum wage template. “The official template is expected to take effect in October, and arrears from August will be paid accordingly,” the statement read.
Reacting to this, Benjamin Anthony, President of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), criticized the selective nature of the payments, stating that the majority of workers had yet to see any increase.
He said, “It is as if they do not realize that there is hunger everywhere, and many children have not returned to school due to lack of money.”
Leaders of various labor unions, including the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), have echoed these concerns, citing severe economic distress among their members. Mohammed Ibrahim, President of SSANU, remarked, “University workers are worst hit as some of our members travel long distances to get to work, which has affected their productivity.”
Union leaders are calling on the government to expedite the full implementation of the new minimum wage to alleviate the growing financial strain on public workers across the country.
