Federal civil servants in Nigeria are urging a major salary overhaul to cope with soaring living expenses. The National Public Service Negotiating Council (NPSNC) has formally proposed a new minimum wage of N154,000 per month, representing a 120 per cent increase in current salaries and allowances.
The council submitted the demand in a letter dated March 12, 2026, addressed to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. Signed by National Chairman Benjamin Anthony and National Secretary Olowoyo Gbenga, the document highlighted that public servants are struggling to meet basic needs due to economic pressures.
The NPSNC emphasized that workers’ contributions to national development are not reflected in their current earnings, which have been eroded by inflation and rising costs of fuel, food, and healthcare. “The National leadership of Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) writes to respectfully but firmly call the attention of your esteemed office to the urgent necessity for an upward review of salaries and allowances of all serving Public Servants in the Nigeria Public Service,” the letter stated.
To address these challenges, the union proposed that the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission begin immediate discussions to develop new salary structures, starting with a minimum of N154,000 for the lowest-level workers. They recommended that the adjustments apply across all federal ministries and agencies, while encouraging state governments to adopt similar measures to ensure fairness nationwide.
The proposal also calls for automatic salary reviews linked to inflation rates to prevent delays between wage updates and economic shifts. In addition, the NPSNC suggested non-monetary benefits such as subsidized transportation and affordable housing to support staff welfare.
Despite pressing demands for higher pay, the union commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving 100 per cent gratuity payments for retiring federal workers, describing it as a measure that helps former employees maintain dignity post-service.
