…first tranche coming after April salaries
The Federal Government is set to begin disbursing the long-awaited N35,000 monthly wage award arrears to civil servants, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) confirmed on Monday.
In a statement issued by Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations, the OAGF disclosed that the outstanding five-month wage award would be paid in instalments of N35,000 per month, with the first tranche scheduled to hit accounts immediately after April 2025 salaries are disbursed.
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“The wage award arrears would not be paid with the April 2025 salary; it will come immediately after the salary is paid,” the OAGF clarified.
This decision follows the partial implementation of the award, which began months ago as part of the Government’s broader response to inflationary pressures and the rising cost of living, exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies and currency devaluation.
The wage award is part of a temporary cushion negotiated with labor unions in 2023, aimed at easing the economic burden on workers during the Government’s ongoing economic reforms.
At the time, labour unions had threatened nationwide strikes if their demands for improved compensation and cost-of-living adjustments were not met.
While five months of the wage award were previously paid in staggered phases, federal workers had voiced concerns about the delay in completing the remaining tranches.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have been vocal in their calls for the Government to honor its commitments to workers.
The unions have criticised the delay in payments, viewing it as a breach of trust. With Labor Day celebration approaching on May 1st, the timing of the Government’s move is seen as a response to prevent any public demonstrations or threats of strikes from federal workers.
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The OAGF reaffirmed that the Federal Government remains committed to implementing all agreements tied to staff remuneration and welfare.
“This is a reaffirmation of our resolve to fulfill every policy and agreement entered into regarding employee compensation. We believe this will go a long way in boosting morale and productivity across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies,” the statement noted.
