Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has issued a firm demand to the Federal Government, calling for the immediate approval of a N300,000 national minimum wage and the payment of all outstanding wage awards, salary arrears, and other entitlements owed to federal workers. The group, which describes itself as the collective voice of federal civil servants, made the demands in a statement issued on Monday, 6 July 2026, by its National Coordinator, Andrew Emelieze. The FWF's proposal also includes a maximum wage of N1.5 million for officers on Grade Level 17, a salary structure that would radically overhaul the current public service pay scale.
Emelieze urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately review workers' salaries, arguing that current earnings have been rendered unsustainable by Nigeria's soaring inflation and the escalating cost of living. "We reiterate our recommendation for a minimum wage of N300,000 and a maximum wage of N1.5 million for officers on Grade Level 17. We await an immediate response from Mr. President," Emelieze stated. The FWF coordinator reminded the government of its outstanding obligations to federal workers, including a two-month wage award that has remained unpaid since June 2024, arrears of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, and the full implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage, including all outstanding salary arrears arising from its implementation.
The latest demand comes amid a broader push by organised labour for a comprehensive review of Nigeria's wage structure. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other labour centres have repeatedly warned that the current minimum wage has been eroded by inflation, with the real value of the N70,000 minimum wage approved in July 2024 having diminished significantly. In June 2026, the FWF had already rejected a proposal by the Nigerian Governors' Forum for a N100,000 minimum wage, describing it as a "Greek gift" and a "wicked conspiracy against workers". The group has insisted that only a living wage that reflects the true cost of living in Nigeria can meet the needs of workers.
Beyond wage demands, the FWF raised serious concerns about the welfare of personnel in Nigeria's correctional service, alleging that many officers are forced to purchase official uniforms, boots, belts, rank badges, and other work equipment with their personal funds. The group also alleged that officers sitting for promotion examinations are compelled to contribute money for the welfare of examiners, and that similar practices occur within the Federal Fire Service. The FWF called for an independent investigation into allegations of extortion during promotion exercises and demanded improved welfare for correctional officers and other paramilitary personnel.
The Forum also described conditions in Nigeria's correctional centres as deplorable, citing overcrowding, poor feeding, disease outbreaks, and the prolonged detention of awaiting-trial inmates. Emelieze warned that the conditions expose inmates, correctional officers, and surrounding communities to serious health risks, especially the spread of communicable diseases. The group called on the government to decongest correctional facilities through a general amnesty and the prerogative of mercy for inmates who have been awaiting trial for more than five years. The FWF also advocated for speedy trials, urging authorities to ensure that no awaiting-trial inmate remains in custody for more than one year without the conclusion of trial.
The FWF's demands come at a time of heightened economic pressure on Nigerian workers, with inflation eroding purchasing power and the cost of basic goods and services rising sharply. The group's call for a N300,000 minimum wage represents a significant escalation in labour's demands, as workers across the country continue to agitate for better pay and improved working conditions. The Federal Government has yet to issue an official response to the FWF's demands, but the group has made it clear that it expects an immediate reaction from the President. As Emelieze put it: "We remind the Federal Government of its outstanding obligations to federal workers... A prison sentence should not become a death sentence. The justice system must prioritise rehabilitation, speedy trials, and respect for human dignity". With the cost of living continuing to rise, the pressure on the Tinubu administration to address workers' grievances is unlikely to ease any time soon.
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