Workers’ Day: Nigerian Government approves 35 percent pay increase for Civil Servants,  28 percent rise for pensioners

*The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission announces the new pay increases for categories of Nigerian workers take effect from January 1, 2024, as the Nigeria Labour Congress pushes for extension of salary increments to all civil servants

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government has approved a pay increase of between 25 percent and 35 percent for civil servants on the remaining six consolidated salary structures.

Emmanuel Njoku, Head of Press at the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), in a statement, disclosed the increases would take effect from January 1, 2024.

Njoku noted the affected Salary Structures included the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS), and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).

Similarly, those in the Tertiary Education and Health Sectors have already received their increases, which involved Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS) for Universities, report stated.

However, for Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, the new increases involve the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS).

The health sector also benefits through the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure (CONHESS).

Pensioners get 20-28 percent increment

Meanwhile, NSIWC has stated the Federal Government also approved increases in pension of between 20 percent and 28 percent for pensioners on the “Defined Benefits Scheme” in respect to the six consolidated salary structures with effect from January 1, 2024.

In her their remarks on the Federal Government’s pay increments, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, First Lady of Nigeria, and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State applauded the Nigerian workers for their resilience and dedication to duty.

NLC seeks extension of gesture to all civil servants

In its reactions to the Federal Government’s communication on pay increases for workers and pensioners, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) reportedly said the gesture should be extended to all categories of civil servants.

Comrade Benson Upah, Head of Information and Publicity at NLC, also stated  the pay rise for workers was for certain categories of workers in the public service.

Upah also told ThisDay Tuesday, April 30, 2024, that the salary increases, though a welcome development, the government should ensure that the margin was reflective of the current harsh economic situation in the West African country.

“I am yet to see the details of the statement, but from what I heard, those affected by the pay rise are from the specialised services.

“These categories of workers are already in the privileged sector but we expect it to be extended also to other categories of civil servants who are in lower cadre and are vulnerable,” noted the NLC Spokesman.

ASUU advocates improved workers’ welfare

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the spirit of May Day celebrations Tuesday, also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governors of the 36 states to prioritise the welfare and working conditions of Nigerian workers.

Prof. Ayoola Akinwole, Chairman of University of Ibadan (UI) ASUU Chapter, Tuesday stated the socio-economic situation in the country, the post-fuel subsidy removal backlash, and current fuel scarcity have affected adversely the working class and their families.

Akinwole said Nigerian workers had continued to contribute to the development of the country, despite being undervalued and underpaid by the various levels of governments, including private organisations.

“Nigerians, particularly the working class, are celebrating 2024 Workers’ Day experiencing fuel scarcity. Workers who are poorly paid, will still have to pay hiked transportation fares.

“The inflation in Nigeria is killing, and many are getting malnourished as the cost of food items have skyrocketed,” the UI ASUU Chapter Chairman lamented.

The academic further observed that the 2024 Worker’s Day would be a reminder to the unfulfilled promises of the Federal and state governments on improving the poor wages and working conditions of the Nigerian workers.

According to ASUU, it was inconceivable that those in government exploited their states’ resources while some even looted for their unborn children while workers were left pauperised.

Akinwole, however, commended the Nigerian security forces for their efforts at keeping the country safe.

He equally urged President Tinubu to ensure a “special welfare package” for families of those who lost their lives while defending their fatherland.

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