Federal civil servants have called on the Federal Government to increase the national minimum wage to N300,000 per month, saying the current salary structure is no longer sustainable for workers under the country’s harsh economic conditions.
The demand was made by the Federal Workers Forum, FWF, which also called on the government to pay outstanding workers’ entitlements, settle wage arrears and urgently address the deteriorating condition of correctional centres across the country.
National Coordinator of the forum, Mr Andrew Emelieze, made the call in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
Emelieze said federal workers were still waiting for the payment of the outstanding two-month wage award owed since June 2024, as well as arrears from the 40 per cent peculiar allowance.
He also demanded the full payment of arrears arising from the implementation of the new N70,000 national minimum wage for federal workers.
“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 N70,000 minimum wage,” he said.
According to him, the current economic reality has made it impossible for workers to survive on existing pay, insisting that President Bola Tinubu must immediately review salaries.
“We reiterate our recommendation for a minimum wage of N300,000 and a maximum wage of N1.5 million for officers on Grade Level 17. We await an immediate response from Mr President,” Emelieze said.
The FWF coordinator also raised concerns over the welfare of correctional officers, alleging that they were poorly paid and forced to buy uniforms, boots, belts, rank badges and other official kits with personal funds.
He further alleged that officers sitting for promotion examinations were made to contribute money for the welfare of examiners, adding that similar practices were allegedly taking place within the Federal Fire Service.
Emelieze called for an independent investigation into the alleged extortion during promotion exercises and demanded improved welfare for correctional officers and other paramilitary personnel.
He also described conditions in correctional centres 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 officers and surrounding communities, especially through the possible 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.
Emelieze urged the government to decongest correctional centres through a general amnesty and the exercise of prerogative of mercy for inmates who have been awaiting trial for more than five years.
He also called for speedy trials, saying no awaiting-trial inmate should remain in custody for more than one year 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.
