FG Unveils Civil Service Welfare Reforms, ₦10bn Housing Loan

The federal government has announced a sweeping package of welfare reforms for civil servants, including increased allowances and a ₦10 billion housing loan scheme, to reflect current economic realities in the country.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, the head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, said the measures underscore the administration’s commitment to placing workers’ welfare at the centre of governance.

“This is your moment,” Mrs Walson-Jack told public servants, affirming that their dedication and service to the nation are now being matched with meaningful support.

She credited the reforms to the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, noting that the administration has created an enabling environment for meaningful improvements in the lives of public servants.

Walson-Jack outlined key interventions approved by the federal government, describing them as both immediate relief and long-term support mechanisms. “This marks a decisive shift from policy promises to tangible benefits,” she added.

She noted that at the core of the package is a landmark Exit Benefit Scheme, which guarantees 100 per cent of a retiring civil servant’s total annual emoluments.

The initiative, effective from January 1, 2026, is designed to ensure that no public servant leaves service without financial dignity.

In addition, she said the Employee Compensation Scheme has been fully operationalised to provide support for workers who suffer job-related injuries, disabilities, or loss of life.

The scheme, she explained, complements existing insurance structures and expands protection for civil servants and their families.

Training and capacity development also received a boost, with the approval of full Duty Tour Allowance for officers attending programmes at designated government training institutions, “regardless of whether travel is required.”

According to her, the government also announced a review and upward adjustment of the Peculiar Allowance across all grade levels, alongside increases in Duty Tour Allowance, estacode, and book allowances “to reflect current economic realities.”

A major highlight of the announcement is the ₦10 billion housing loan scheme aimed at improving home ownership among civil servants.

Walson-Jack explained that the scheme would be implemented through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in collaboration with the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board.

“A well-supported civil service is essential to national development,” she emphasised, adding that the reforms reflect that broader philosophy.

The Head of Service also called for sustained collaboration across ministries, departments, and agencies to deepen the impact of the initiatives.

With the announcement coming ahead of Workers’ Day on May 1, Walson-Jack said the timing sends a strong message that the contributions of civil servants are being recognised not just in words, but through concrete policies.

Speaking on the housing initiative, the managing director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Shehu Usman Osidi, described the partnership as a strategic step towards expanding access to affordable housing.

He said the collaboration would create a more efficient framework for delivering mortgage loans to civil servants, offering options that cater to diverse needs, including home ownership, renovation, rent support, and incremental housing development.

Osidi noted that the bank has undergone reforms since 2024 to improve service delivery, enhance transparency, and introduce innovative mortgage products, positioning it to better serve contributors under the National Housing Fund.

“This initiative aligns with the government’s broader housing agenda, which prioritises affordable housing as a key driver of welfare and productivity,” he added.