₦70,000 Wage Under Pressure as Federal Workers Demand ₦300,000 and Full Salary Adjustment

The Federal Workers Forum has demanded an immediate increase in the minimum wage to ₦300,000 and called for payment of outstanding consequential adjustment arrears arising from the 2024 wage review.

The forum said federal workers are struggling with rising living expenses while their salaries have not adequately reflected changes in the economy.

The group said the cost of food, transportation, accommodation, cooking gas, electricity and other necessities has increased, reducing the purchasing power of workers.

It also linked the pressure on workers to the depreciation of the naira.

The FWF maintained that the ₦70,000 minimum wage introduced in 2024 has not been fully implemented for federal workers because the consequential adjustments to salaries and allowances remain incomplete.  

The forum alleged that workers received a flat ₦40,000 increase under the 2024 wage review instead of the broader adjustment it expected across salary levels.

It further called for payment of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears and other financial obligations.

The workers proposed a new salary structure beginning with ₦300,000 for Grade Level 1 employees and rising to ₦1.5 million for Grade Level 17 officers.

The forum said the proposed structure would provide a more realistic salary system for federal workers in the current economic environment.  

Beyond basic salaries, the FWF called for a permanent cost-of-living allowance, family support allowance and improved welfare packages.

It also requested health insurance improvements, housing and car loans, pension reforms and payment of outstanding promotion arrears.

The group urged the Federal Government and National Assembly to consider its proposals urgently.

The forum’s ₦300,000 proposal remains a demand and has not been established as the approved national minimum wage.