Federal Workers Forum Demands ₦300,000 Minimum Wage, Confirms Protest

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has renewed its call for an increase in Nigeria’s national minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦300,000, insisting that its planned nationwide protest over economic hardship and insecurity will go ahead as scheduled.

The group said comments by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, acknowledging that federal workers are poorly paid, have validated its long-held position that civil servants are underpaid and struggling under worsening economic conditions.

In a statement jointly signed by the Forum’s National Coordinator, Andrew Emelieze, and General Secretary, Ayo Ogundele, the organisation urged the Federal Government to move beyond public acknowledgements and take immediate steps to improve workers’ welfare.

According to the Forum, recognising the challenges faced by workers without introducing an urgent salary review amounts to insensitivity and empty political promises.

“Our outcry has been justified. The Federal Government has openly agreed with our position that federal workers are poorly paid, exploited and dehumanised. The recent statement by the Chief of Staff says it all.

“However, what is surprising is the government’s continued insensitivity to the suffering of federal workers despite repeated calls by the Federal Workers Forum,” the statement read.

The Forum also criticised the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, accusing both labour centres of failing to put enough pressure on the government to secure a living wage for Nigerian workers.

Questioning the government’s next steps, the Forum stated:

“It is not enough to admit guilt and go to sleep. The question is: what exactly is the government doing immediately to ensure justice for federal workers and pensioners?”

The workers’ group further alleged that the Federal Government has not fully implemented the ₦70,000 minimum wage, claiming that several outstanding benefits remain unpaid. These include wage award balances dating back to June 2024, promotion arrears, the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, and other staff entitlements.

According to the Forum, the current salary adjustment only added ₦40,000 to workers’ earnings under the new wage structure, describing the increase as grossly inadequate given Nigeria’s current economic realities.

As part of its demands, the Forum called for an immediate salary review, proposing a ₦300,000 minimum wage and a ₦1.5 million maximum salary for directors on Grade Level 17. It also asked the Federal Government to backdate the wage adjustment by at least one year to compensate workers for what it described as prolonged injustice.

The Forum maintained that its planned nationwide protest will proceed on Monday, June 29, urging federal workers across the country to wear black clothing and gather peacefully at federal secretariats to demonstrate against insecurity and the rising cost of living.

Reaffirming its position, the group declared:

“We are going ahead with our planned national protest against insecurity and hardship. Federal workers are tired of false hope. We are not slaves; we are citizens, and we demand justice. Federal workers will definitely protest. There is no going back.”