Civil Servants Lament Delayed Implementation of ₦70,000 Minimum Wage

Federal civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in implementing the new minimum wage of ₦70,000, as economic conditions in Nigeria continue to worsen.

According to reports by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the living standards of Nigerians have deteriorated significantly since President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidies on May 29, 2023. The subsequent liberalization of exchange rates in June, which led to the floatation of the Naira, further exacerbated the economic crisis, prompting extended negotiations between organized labor and the Federal Government.

Despite a resolution on July 19, when both parties agreed to a new minimum wage of ₦70,000, the implementation has yet to commence. This delay is compounded by the Federal Government’s earlier announcement of a 25% and 35% salary adjustment for certain categories of workers on consolidated salary structures, which also remains unpaid.

Although states such as Edo, Adamawa, Osun, Taraba, Enugu, and Ebonyi have started paying the new minimum wage to their civil servants, the federal implementation lags. Repeated inquiries at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, and the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission have not yielded any substantial responses.

Civil servants have voiced their disappointment and concern over the delays. Mrs. Maimuna Tijani, a civil servant, described the situation as frustrating and unfair, noting that the failure to implement the wage increase has deepened the economic struggles of workers. “It shows a lack of commitment to improving the welfare of citizens,” she said. Tijani revealed that she has had to cut non-essential expenses and seek additional income sources, such as tutoring, to cope with the financial strain.

Similarly, Mr. Mathew Afolabi, a teacher, emphasized the need for the government to prioritize workers’ welfare, particularly in the face of rising inflation. “Without a wage increase, the purchasing power of the average teacher continues to erode,” he said. Afolabi noted that he has had to adopt strict budgeting measures and is considering relocating to a more affordable area to manage his expenses.

Mrs. Lydia Dimka, a nurse, expressed her disappointment, highlighting the government’s history of delaying promised wage increases. “Unfortunately, it is the average worker who suffers the most, as inflation continues to rise while wages remain stagnant,” Dimka said, adding that she has taken on extra shifts and side jobs to supplement her income.

Ms. Chioma Ufodike criticized the government for being out of touch with the realities faced by Nigerian workers. She pointed out that the delay in implementing the wage increase indicates a lack of understanding of the daily struggles faced by civil servants. “If the government understood these struggles, the wage increase would have been implemented immediately,” she said. Ufodike has resorted to carpooling and using public transport to cut fuel costs, as well as reducing her social activities and non-essential spending.

Journalist Mrs. Seido Terso also condemned the delay, describing it as unacceptable. Terso has been trying to save money by cooking at home and avoiding eating out, but she noted that the situation has been challenging. “The delay shows a lack of respect for workers who have been patiently waiting for the wage increase. The government needs to take swift action before things get worse for everyone,” she said.

Meanwhile, economist Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu argued that the solution to Nigeria’s economic woes goes beyond just implementing the minimum wage. Ekechukwu emphasized the need for broader measures, including reducing inflation, stabilizing the exchange rate, lowering fuel prices, creating employment opportunities, and addressing insecurity. “That way, even if the minimum wage is not achieved, Nigerians will still be able to manage the economic situation,” he said. However, he stressed the importance of the government fulfilling its promises to maintain public trust.

In a further blow to struggling Nigerians, the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL) recently announced an increase in the pump price of petrol, raising it from about ₦568 per liter to approximately ₦855 per liter. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) swiftly condemned the increase, calling for its immediate reversal. NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed a deep sense of betrayal, stating that one of the reasons for accepting the ₦70,000 minimum wage was the assurance that petrol prices would not rise.

Ajaero revealed that the government had offered two options: a ₦250,000 minimum wage with a pump price of ₦1,500 to ₦2,000 per liter or a ₦70,000 minimum wage with the pump price remaining between ₦568 and ₦617 per liter. “We opted for the latter because we could not bring ourselves to accept further punishment on Nigerians. But here we are, barely a month later, confronted by a reality we cannot explain,” Ajaero said, describing the situation as both traumatic and nightmarish.