With the implementation of the new minimum wage, civil servants in Nigeria are increasingly complaining about the ongoing salary delays and inconsistencies across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This situation has sparked widespread outrage, anger, and frustration among workers who rely on their pay cheques for basic living expenses. Many civil servants report that delayed payments not only jeopardise their financial stability but also demoralise them in their jobs, undermining public service efficiency and commitment. As workers use social media and other platforms to share their experiences, the call for transparency and accountability in the salary payment system grows louder, emphasising the critical need for reform in Nigeria’s civil service institutions. This rising tension highlights broader issues in governance and public administration, as civil servants seek recognition and fair treatment in their professional lives. Report by SAMUEL OGIDAN, CHIDI UGWU, CHIBUZOR EMEJOR, and EL-AMEEN IBRAHIM......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Civil servants, activists, and some Nigerians are concerned about the federal government’s delay in paying October salaries and other promised benefits which marks the commencement of the payment of the new approved minimum wage.
Although the October salaries were paid two weeks later, the outrage over the delay was unprecedented, given that the country’s economic situation has deteriorated to such an extent that the prices of goods and the level of poverty have risen to the point where Nigeria has been labelled as one of the poorest nations.
Lamentations, anger, and frustration are the order of the day as Nigerians cry out every day with no help in sight, owing to the country’s harsh economic realities. The affected workers, who described what they went through before being paid, said the experience was unpleasant because their pay was insufficient to cover the market’s ever-increasing costs.
The delay left some federal civil servants frustrated, worried, and demoralised, a development that left many of them struggling to make ends meet. Many people who shared their heartbreaking stories in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja emphasised the emotional toll of the financial setback, claiming they had to borrow to make ends meet.
“I have had to borrow money from friends and family just to put food on the table,” said a civil servant who did not want to be identified for fear of repercussions. Others claim they had to skip meals or drastically reduce their expenses after multiple attempts to borrow were denied.
“With each passing day without pay, I was forced to face an uncomfortable truth: my meals had become a luxury I could not afford. Hunger pangs gnaw at my stomach, a constant reminder of my household’s financial strain.
“I find myself skipping breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner, convincing myself that it is only temporary. Before the salary arrived, I whispered to myself, but as the days and weeks passed, that mantra became increasingly difficult to accept.
“The sacrifices I have made have an impact on my entire family. My children look up to me with innocent eyes and ask when we will have dinner together again. I smile through the pain, hoping to protect them from the harsh realities we face. But on the inside, I feel like a failure—a protector who is unable to provide,” said a Voice Of Nigeria (VON) staff member, who simply identified herself as Aisha to our correspondent.
Aisha, on the other hand, thought that her misery had ended after receiving her salary on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, and urged the government to prioritise worker welfare.
Independent research revealed that the delay had a significant emotional impact, resulting in anxiety, depression, and frustration. Mrs. Adeyemi, another civil servant in Abuja, said, “I felt like I was failing my family,” and that the uncertainty was unbearable.
However, the Federal Government attributed the delay to ongoing negotiations over the new Minimum Wage and its subsequent adjustment. However, the affected civil servants are demanding greater transparency and accountability, pointing out that borrowing money in an already strained economy where everyone else is struggling to survive is extremely difficult.
The media arm of the government, including staff members of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), and National Orientation Agency (NOA), as well as university lecturers, appear to have been caught up in the web of the October salaries delay.
An affected lecturer from the Federal University in Wukari, Taraba State, who requested anonymity, stated, “We want our salaries paid on time.” Mr. Oyedele, a civil servant, stated, “We cannot continue to live in uncertainty.”
According to him, he received his salary on Monday, and the federal government’s delayed payment of the October salary caused significant hardship, affecting employees in 12 ministries.
He stated: “We experienced financial strain as a result of budgetary constraints caused by the recent implementation of a new minimum wage and unplanned allowances.
“As you are aware, many civil servants rely on their salaries for necessities, and delays disrupt their financial planning, causing anxiety and potentially leading to reliance on high-interest informal loans. This situation jeopardises not only personal finances but also local businesses that rely on government workers’ income.”
Meanwhile, the federal government has been urged to be transparent and open about the implementation of the new minimum wage. Some civil servants who spoke with our correspondent complained that they had been kept in the dark about the actual amount paid to them following the approval of the minimum wage by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
One of the employees, who requested anonymity, stated that she, like many of her colleagues, is unaware of the actual amount added to her salary.
A staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) confirmed that the corporation staff was paid on November 12th, 2024. She went on to say that it was unclear whether the minimum wage was paid in addition to its arrears and the 25% consequential adjustment, and that “everything about the minimum wage is lopsided. Nobody knows what he or she earns.
“Even though salary payments were delayed, it is important that each employee understands what they receive. We all are wallowing in the dark. It is not good that the federal government keeps employees in the dark. As the economy has weakened, getting to work has become more difficult due to the high cost of transport.
“We are not planning with what we earn. We live from hand to mouth. Workers should be able to invest their salaries. This is not the case for us. We work to pay off our debts and start over.”
A journalist from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also confirmed that they were paid on November 12th, 2024. He explained that they were not given a reason for the nearly two-week delay in paying their October salaries.
According to a federal government circular, this delay is due to agencies exhausting their budget for personnel costs, which was prompted by the recent approval of the new minimum wage. The new information was revealed in a notice sent to public servants who work for the Voice of Nigeria (VON).
On October 22, 2024, the Director of Finance for Director-General, Jack Odeh, issued a circular titled ‘Notice of Delay in October 2024 Salary,’ explaining that the delay was caused by the payment of the 40% CONPSS Peculiar Allowance, which was not initially included in the 2024 budget.
It also stated that personnel costs from October to December 2024 will be augmented by the Service Wide Vote, resulting in a slight delay in salary payment.
However, Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, stated that the issue in question affected not more than 12 MDAs, but did not provide the specific names of the entities involved.
The notice stated: “Consequent to the Federal Government’s implementation of the minimum wage in September 2024, and the non-inclusion of the 40% CONPSS Peculiar Allowance in the 2024 budget, the Voice of Nigeria personnel budget was exhausted.
“VON’s personnel costs from October to December 2024 will need to be supplemented from the Service Wide Vote. We regret to inform employees and management that there will be a slight delay in salary payments from October to December 2024.
“This is due to the ongoing augmentation process, which requires approval from relevant authorities for VON and the other ministries, departments, and agencies involved. Please take note.”
In response to this development, Auwal Rafsanjani, Director-General of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), strongly condemned the ongoing practice of selective salary payments in Nigerian government agencies, calling it discriminatory and detrimental to the country’s public service.
Rafsanjani emphasised that unequal salary distribution not only reduces productivity but also fosters a toxic work environment, which may eventually lead to corrupt practices within these institutions. He urged the Nigerian government to eliminate all forms of bias in salary payments and employee welfare.
“For the public service to function effectively, there must be equality in how government employees are compensated,” he stated, emphasising that discriminatory practices harm worker’s morale and undermine the integrity of government operations.
Rafsanjani also warned that workers facing unequal pay may resort to corrupt behaviour, such as extorting individuals seeking services or withholding critical documents. “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Ministry of Labour and Productivity must act quickly to address this injustice.”
He also advocated for the involvement of anti-corruption units within various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to address this issue, stating that “workers have the right to express their concerns if they are genuinely denied their salaries. Anyone who withholds workers’ pay should be held accountable and called to order.”
Comrade Salihu Dantata, a well-known activist, also commented on the controversy, claiming that salary disparities between MDAs reflect underlying political influences.
Dantata stated that some agencies, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), consistently receive salary payments on time, whereas others, particularly those in the humanitarian sector, such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), experience delays.
“There is a clear divide in how salaries are allocated, even within parastatals. Certain agencies, such as the CBN and NIMASA, never experience salary payment delays, whereas those with less political power face discrimination,” Dantata stated. He attributed these disparities to political manoeuvring and alleged backroom deals that control the flow of funds.
Dantata also urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to take greater responsibility for overseeing MDAs, which fall under his jurisdiction.
He urged the SGF to investigate the role of the Accountant-General’s office in salary delays, as well as the National Assembly, particularly the Finance and Appropriation Committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Engr Yabagi Sani, National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), also commented on the issue, questioning why civil servants continue to allow their colleagues to deny them their salaries.
“Why are civil servants allowing this to happen?” Salaries are being withheld by fellow civil servants rather than the President or governors. They must consider their role in this injustice,” he said, urging civil servants to take collective responsibility in addressing the issue.
Mrs Sanusi, Director of Press at the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), declined to comment on the issue, suggesting that further enquiries be directed to the Ministry of Finance or the Office of the Accountant-General.
As the debate continues, stakeholders from various sectors demand greater transparency and accountability in the salary distribution process. The goal is to ensure that all government employees are treated fairly, regardless of their agency or political affiliation.
Attempts to obtain comment from some MDA spokespersons involved, such as the National Youth Services Corps (NYSC) and Caro Lembu, the Ministry of Education’s Director of Press, were unsuccessful because they did not respond as promised.
In addition, Femi Babafemi, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s spokesperson, did not return calls or respond to WhatsApp messages.