Civil servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have called for a new minimum wage of ₦154,000 and a 120 per cent increase in salaries and allowances to cushion the impact of rising living costs in Nigeria.
The demand was contained in a letter dated March 12, 2026, and addressed to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, highlighting what the council described as worsening economic hardship faced by public workers.
The council said the current wage structure no longer reflects economic realities, pointing to inflation, high fuel prices, transportation costs, and rising expenses in food, housing, healthcare, and education.
According to the letter jointly signed by its National Chairman, Benjamin Anthony, and National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga, many workers are struggling to meet basic needs despite their contributions to national development.
“Public servants continue to face severe economic hardship due to the declining purchasing power of their earnings,” the council said.
The council urged the government to initiate urgent negotiations through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to review salaries and allowances across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
It proposed that the minimum salary for a Grade Level 01 Step 1 officer be raised to ₦154,000 monthly, representing a 120 per cent increase.
The council also recommended:
- Harmonisation of wages across all government institutions
- Periodic cost-of-living adjustments tied to inflation
- Introduction of welfare incentives such as subsidised transport and housing
The union warned that continued delay in addressing workers’ welfare could lead to declining morale and productivity within the public service.
It stressed that the review was not only an economic necessity but also critical to maintaining industrial harmony and preventing potential unrest.
Meanwhile, the council commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving 100 per cent gratuity payments for retiring federal civil servants.
The move, conveyed through the Head of Service, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, was described as a significant step toward improving the welfare of retirees and recognising their contributions to public service.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to engaging the government through dialogue to achieve a fair and sustainable outcome, while urging swift action to address the plight of workers.
The letter was also copied to key government officials, including the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Labour, and leaders of major labour unions, underscoring the urgency of the demand.
The development comes amid growing economic pressure nationwide, with many Nigerians facing declining real incomes and rising cost of living.
