Senior Workers’ Union Seeks Living Wage For Nigeria Revenue Service Employees

The national president of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Comrade Shehu Mohammed, says his group is aware of the challenges faced by workers of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and promised to confront them frontally.

In his address at the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) 2025/2026 Staff Union Seminar and Congress with the theme, “Organisational Change and Transition: Impact of Motivation and Incentives on Staff Performance” in Jos over the weekend, Mohammed identified some of the issues as promotion, improved healthcare packages and enhance the educational capacity of members, especially at a time when the service is being reformed to deliver more efficient service to the Nigerian government.

“There are issues that staff expect their unit chairmen to address, in collaboration with management and, by extension, the national body. We assured them that we are not unaware of these challenges. This is normal in any organisation. That is why unions exist—to listen to members’ complaints and engage management or employers to resolve them

He explained that they are civil servants, but first are Nigerians, adding that whatever affects Nigerians also affects civil servants, sometimes even more directly, because they dedicate their lives to serving the government and the people of the country.

“Inflation is one of the major challenges affecting virtually all sectors of the country, and it is hitting workers very hard.

You will recall that about two years ago, the federal government approved a ₦70,000 minimum wage. You will also agree with me that today, ₦70,000 cannot sustain a worker for four weeks without seeking additional means of survival,” he said.

Mohammed argued that, even before the minimum wage was implemented, the union repeatedly warned that inflation would erode its value, which has clearly happened.

“The issue of minimum wage, therefore, remains critical. We must continue to engage the government to review wages so they align with the realities on the ground. Rent, transportation, electricity and the general cost of living have become overwhelming. These are enormous challenges and only the provision of a decent living wage can meaningfully address them,” he said.

The ASCN’s national president maintained that unless workers are paid a living wage, it will be difficult for them to focus on productivity and national development.

The chairman, ASCSN NRS Unit, Comrade Lekwot Friday, in his opening remarks, stated that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had transitioned to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).

“We are no longer FIRS; we are now the Nigerian Revenue Service. The essence of this seminar is to enlighten ASCSN members, carry them along and let them know what management expects of them.

“This seminar is meant to educate ourselves on how to provide the best support and services. Nigerians expect a lot from the new NRS. They want to see improvement in all aspects of governance,” he said.

Meanwhile, a senior lecturer and researcher, Centre for Conflict Management and Peace Studies, University of Jos (UNIJOS), Dr Sesan Peter, in his presentation “Impact of Motivation and Incentives on Staff Performance,” asked the management to combine the non-monetary and monetary rewards as a cost-effective way, as well as keeping the workforce highly motivated. He said they should be linked directly to the compensation plan.