Workers demand N300,000 minimum wage

The Federal Workers Forum has urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to urgently reconsider the remuneration of federal civil servants and raise the minimum wage from N70,000 to N300,000. The letter, addressed to key government officials, was signed by Andrew Emelieze, National Coordinator, and Ogundele Ayodele, General Secretary, on September 2, 2026.

The forum proposes a fixed salary of N1.5m for Level 17 officers, arguing that the current wage structure does not adequately reflect the economic conditions faced by federal workers. They claim that the 2024 minimum wage increase, which raised the base pay from N30,000 to N70,000, resulted in only a N40,000 increase across all levels.

The forum asserts that the full consequential adjustment and associated allowances have not been fully implemented since July 2024. They argue that the current minimum wage of N70,000 is insufficient to cover the rising cost of living, including food, transportation, accommodation, and other essential expenses. The workers also highlight the financial struggles faced by some federal employees who have resorted to borrowing money from microfinance institutions and phone loan apps to make ends meet.

The forum links its demand to the overall increase in government revenues and expenditures, stating that federal workers, who they consider the "engine room of governance," should receive a fair share of the nation's prosperity.