Federal civil servants are urging the Nigerian government to swiftly clear three months of outstanding arrears from a N35,000 wage award introduced last year to cushion workers against rising living costs.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday, the employees expressed frustration over what they described as an unexplained and increasingly worrying delay, even as inflation continues to erode purchasing power and household budgets grow tighter.
Some workers said the delay reflects a broader pattern of government inaction until public dissatisfaction becomes too loud to ignore.
“The government should not wait until workers feel agitated before fulfilling its obligations,” said Dr. Uche Anune, a civil servant in Abuja. “Whenever there is anything at stake, there seems to be a tendency to delay until people start protesting. That should not be the case.”
The wage award, introduced as a temporary relief measure pending a full review of Nigeria’s minimum wage, was designed to be paid monthly. But several civil servants said that while the government acknowledged five months of outstanding arrears earlier in the year, only two tranches were paid before the process stalled again.
“For me, the delay has created doubts about the sincerity of the Federal Government,” said Joseph Edeh, another civil servant. “They paid two months and stopped. Why are we being treated like this? Nobody is happy. What they should do now is clear the arrears pay the remaining three months at once and move on.”
The refrain was similar among other workers, who said the N35,000 allowance, though modest, helps cover essentials such as transportation, food and school fees. Miss Franca Ofili said the prolonged wait has left many workers anxious. “That N35,000 can go a long way. We need the money. The government should clear the outstanding arrears at once,” she said.
The delay comes at a time of widespread economic strain, with the cost of living rising sharply following fuel subsidy removal, currency depreciation and increases in energy and transportation costs. For many workers, the wage award has become an essential buffer in the absence of a new national minimum wage agreement.
In response to the growing concerns, the Federal Government maintained that it remains committed to clearing the arrears, but said the payments are tied to revenue flows. Bawa Mokwa, director of press and public relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, said three tranches remain to be paid following the disbursement of the second batch 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.”
For civil servants waiting for relief, the government’s assurances offer little comfort until the payments resume. Many say they simply want the administration to keep its word.