Nigerian workers demand N300,000 minimum wage, FG faces fresh salary pressure

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has called for a substantial raise in the federal minimum wage, proposing an immediate increase from N70,000 to N300,000. This demand stems from the escalating cost of living in Nigeria, which has made the current salary structure unsustainable for civil servants. The FWF made this demand known in a letter dated September 2, 2026, directed towards President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and key figures such as the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice of Nigeria, and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

In addition to the proposed salary increase, the FWF outlined a revised salary structure. Under this new system, Level 17 officers would earn a monthly salary of N1.5 million, while Level 1 Step 1 workers would receive N300,000. The Forum emphasized the need for justice and an immediate wage review, urging the adjustment of the federal minimum wage to N300,000 and the setting of a maximum wage of N1.5 million for Level 17 officers.

The Federal Government's failure to fully implement the 2024 minimum wage agreement has led to this demand. The FWF highlighted that federal workers have not yet received the full consequential adjustment and associated allowances promised since July 2024. This ongoing struggle for the full consequential adjustment of the new minimum wage has been a persistent issue for the civil servants.

Notably, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had also sought a significant increase in the minimum wage, requesting it to be raised to N500,000 in August 2026. Prior to this, in July 2024, President Bola Tinubu's administration had increased the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 per month. However, the cost of living in Nigeria has more than tripled between 2024 and 2026, underscoring the urgent need for a substantial wage increase to ensure the financial well-being of the country's civil servants.