Civil servants in Abuja have called on the Federal Government to urgently pay the outstanding four months’ arrears of the N35,000 wage award, describing the delay as unfair and demoralising.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, the workers expressed frustration over the Federal Government’s failure to honour its own payment timeline, despite a previous commitment to settle the arrears in five monthly instalments beginning in May 2025.
According to NAN, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) had announced on April 28 that the FG would pay the outstanding five months of N35,000 wage award in instalments, starting right after April salaries were disbursed. However, after one payment in May, no further payments have been made.
Dr. Uche Anune, a civil servant, criticized the government for only acting in response to agitation or protest:
“The government should not wait until workers start complaining or protesting before they act. They made a promise, and they should honour it.”
Mr. Joseph Edeh urged the government to pay the remaining four months in full rather than continue with monthly instalments:
“They told us it was a five-month arrear. After paying one, they just stopped. This delay makes us question the government’s sincerity.”
He added that the situation had caused many civil servants to lose faith in government commitments.
Miss Franca Ofili stressed the importance of the wage award in helping workers cope with financial burdens:
“That ₦35,000 can go a long way in solving basic financial problems. They should clear the arrears at once and end the anxiety.”
The OAGF, in its earlier statement, had promised that the wage award arrears were part of a broader commitment to improving civil servant welfare and productivity.
However, the lack of follow-through has left many government workers feeling neglected and demoralized.
Workers are now urging the government to act swiftly and fulfil its pledge without further delay.
