The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the payment of the long-awaited ₦35,000 wage award arrears and officially begun the implementation of a new ₦70,000 minimum wage for civil servants across the country.
This development, confirmed by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, follows months of negotiations with organised labour and forms part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader economic relief strategy aimed at cushioning the effects of recent fuel subsidy removal and inflationary pressures on Nigerian workers.
According to government sources, the payment of the ₦35,000 arrears, which covers the months civil servants were promised the temporary wage adjustment in 2023, is being disbursed in phases, beginning with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that have completed necessary verification processes.
The new ₦70,000 minimum wage is set to replace the existing ₦30,000 structure, marking a significant 133% increase, and is expected to boost morale in the public sector while also addressing the widening cost-of-living crisis.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have acknowledged the implementation of the wage increment but insist that further adjustments are needed to meet current economic realities, especially for workers in the informal sector and state governments yet to comply.
While the National Minimum Wage Act is still under review by the Tripartite Committee, the government said the new wage reflects an interim measure to support workers as part of its social contract with the Nigerian people.
Civil servants nationwide have begun receiving notifications of credit alerts, sparking cautious optimism and calls for sustained fiscal discipline and accountability in public finance.
