Federal Workers Demand ₦300,000 Minimum Wage, Arrears Payment

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has urged the federal government to immediately pay outstanding workers’ entitlements, implement a ₦300,000 national minimum wage and address what it described as worsening conditions in the country’s correctional centres.

The National Coordinator of the forum, Mr Andrew Emelieze, made the demands in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

Emelieze called on the government to settle the outstanding two-month wage award owed to federal workers since June 2024, pay the arrears of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and clear all outstanding arrears arising from the implementation of the new ₦70,000 national minimum wage.

“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,” he said.

The FWF coordinator also urged President Bola Tinubu to undertake an immediate review of workers’ salaries, arguing that current earnings were no longer sufficient to meet the rising cost of living.

“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 said.

Beyond workers’ welfare, Emelieze raised concerns over the condition of correctional officers, alleging that many were forced to purchase official uniforms, boots, belts, rank badges and other kits with personal funds.

He further alleged that officers sitting for promotion examinations contributed money for the welfare of examiners, adding that similar practices reportedly existed within the Federal Fire Service.

“We call for an independent investigation into allegations of extortion during promotion exercises and demand better welfare for correctional officers and other paramilitary personnel,” he said.

Emelieze also described conditions in correctional centres across the country as deplorable, citing overcrowding, poor feeding, disease outbreaks and the prolonged detention of awaiting-trial inmates.

According to him, the situation poses serious health risks to inmates, correctional personnel and surrounding communities through the spread of communicable diseases.

“Our correctional centres have become places of torment instead of rehabilitation. No Nigerian should be subjected to such degrading and inhumane conditions,” he said.

He called on the federal government to decongest correctional facilities by granting a general amnesty and exercising the prerogative of mercy for inmates who have remained in custody awaiting trial for more than five years.

Emelieze also advocated speedy dispensation of justice, urging authorities to ensure that no awaiting-trial inmate spends more than one year in detention without the conclusion of trial.

“A prison sentence should not become a death sentence. The justice system must prioritise rehabilitation, speedy trials, and respect for human dignity,” he added.