The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has called on the Federal Government to approve a new national minimum wage of ₦300,000 and immediately clear all outstanding wage awards, salary arrears and other financial entitlements owed to federal workers.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Forum’s National Coordinator, Andrew Emelieze, said the current salary structure is no longer sufficient to meet the rising cost of living, urging President Bola Tinubu to urgently review workers’ wages in line with prevailing economic realities.
The Forum proposed a minimum wage of ₦300,000 and a maximum salary of ₦1.5 million for officers on Grade Level 17, insisting that the review is necessary to restore the purchasing power and welfare of federal workers.
The workers’ group also demanded the immediate payment of the outstanding two-month wage award owed since June 2024, settlement of arrears of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, and the full implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, including all outstanding salary arrears.
Beyond workers’ welfare, the FWF raised concerns over the conditions of service in the Nigerian Correctional Service, alleging that many officers purchase uniforms, boots, belts and other official kits with personal funds.
It further called for an independent investigation into alleged extortion during promotion exercises in some paramilitary agencies.
The Forum also decried the overcrowding and poor conditions in correctional centres nationwide, urging the Federal Government to implement reforms, speed up the trial of inmates awaiting justice and grant the prerogative of mercy to deserving inmates as part of efforts to decongest correctional facilities.
