Federal Workers Forum Calls for ₦300,000 Minimum Wage
The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government has been urged to immediately implement a ₦300,000 national minimum wage for workers. The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) made the demand in a statement issued on Monday, July 6, 2026, in Abuja, as reported by Leadership.
FWF National Coordinator Andrew Emelieze said the current earnings are no longer sufficient to meet the rising cost of living. He also called on the government to settle outstanding two-month wage awards owed to federal workers since June 2024, pay arrears of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, and clear all outstanding arrears from the implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage.
Outstanding Obligations Must Be Settled
“We remind the federal government of its outstanding obligations to federal workers, including the two-month wage award, peculiar allowance arrears, and the full implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage,” Emelieze stated.
The FWF coordinator urged Tinubu to undertake an immediate review of workers’ salaries. “We reiterate our recommendation for a minimum wage of ₦300,000 and a maximum wage of ₦1.5 million for officers on Grade Level 17. We await an immediate response from Mr President,” he added.
Correctional Centres Under Scrutiny
The federal workers also called on Tinubu’s government to address worsening conditions in the country’s correctional centres. “Our correctional centres have become places of torment instead of rehabilitation. No Nigerian should be subjected to such degrading and inhumane conditions,” Emelieze said.
Previous Government Position on Minimum Wage
Recall that former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Bukar Goni, revealed that the Federal Government was prepared to implement a ₦150,000 minimum wage. Goni urged lawmakers to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow different tiers of government and private organisations to determine wages based on their financial capacity. He also warned that rivalry among government institutions and inadequate funding continue to undermine security operations and reforms.
Labour Unions Push for Higher Wage
Labour unions are demanding a new minimum wage amid rising living costs and high inflation. Negotiations with the Federal Government are expected to begin before July 2026 to ensure a timely review. The current minimum wage framework is deemed inadequate, and unions seek a 'genuine living wage'.
