Federal civil servants across Nigeria are pressing the government to urgently settle three months of unpaid arrears from the N35,000 wage award introduced in 2024 as a temporary relief measure. The allowance, meant to cushion the effects of worsening economic pressures, has become a crucial lifeline for many workers as inflation, fuel costs, and general living expenses continue to surge.
Speaking in Abuja on Sunday during interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), several civil servants voiced growing frustration over what they described as an unnecessary and demoralizing delay by the Federal Government. They said the stoppage of payments has deepened concerns about government commitment to worker welfare at a time when salaries are struggling to keep up with economic realities.
Many workers stated that the delay seems to reflect a recurring pattern where government agencies fail to act proactively, only responding when public outcry reaches a breaking point. According to them, the current situation is yet another example of a governance culture that often requires agitation before obligations are honored.
Civil Servants React to the Delayed Payments
One of the public workers, Dr. Uche Anune, criticized the government for what he called a lack of urgency and sensitivity to workers’ daily struggles. “The government should not wait until workers feel agitated before fulfilling its obligations,” he said. “Whenever anything concerns workers’ welfare, there seems to be a tendency to delay until people start protesting. That should not be the case.”
The N35,000 wage award was introduced as a stopgap measure pending the conclusion of negotiations for a new minimum wage. It was intended to be disbursed monthly, but several civil servants noted that after the government acknowledged five months of outstanding arrears earlier in the year, only two months were paid before the process stalled again.
Another worker, Joseph Edeh, said the prolonged delay has cast doubts on the sincerity of the Federal Government. “They paid two months and stopped. Why are we being treated like this? Nobody is happy,” he said. “What they should do now is clear the arrears—pay the remaining three months at once—and move on.”
Others echoed the same sentiment, stressing that the allowance, though small, goes a long way toward covering essential expenses. Miss Franca Ofili explained that many civil servants depend heavily on the N35,000 addition to supplement their salary. “That N35,000 can go a long way. We need the money,” she said. “The government should clear the outstanding arrears at once.”
Economic Hardship Heightens Workers’ Concerns
The delay in payment comes at a time when many Nigerian households are grappling with severe financial strain. Following the removal of fuel subsidy, the depreciation of the naira, and rising energy tariffs, the cost of transportation, food, housing, and basic services has increased sharply. In the absence of an updated national minimum wage, the wage award has effectively become a critical buffer for many families.
Civil servants argue that the government’s delay in paying the arrears is worsening the economic pressure on workers, some of whom already struggle to afford necessities such as school fees, rent, and daily transportation.
Government’s Position on the Outstanding Arrears
Responding to the concerns, the Federal Government insisted it has not abandoned its pledge to fully settle the arrears. According to Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the remaining three tranches are tied to government revenue inflows. He stated that two batches of payments have already been made, with the last disbursed in August.
“Contrary to insinuations, the Federal Government has not reneged on the payment of the wage award arrears,” Mokwa said. “The government will continue to pay the wage award in installments of N35,000 per month until the outstanding arrears are exhausted.”
However, for many civil servants who have waited months for relief, official assurances are no longer enough. They say what matters now is timely action—not repeated promises. Until the payments resume, workers remain anxious and increasingly vocal about the need for the government to demonstrate consistency, transparency, and respect for its commitments.
Emmanuel Bassey is a Financial Expert that has worked in the Banking and Finance Industry for over 15+ years across different banks in Nigeria
