The Federal Workers Forum, FWF has written to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly demanding an urgent review of federal civil servants’ salaries.

In a letter dated September 2, 2026, signed by National Coordinator Andrew Emelieze and General Secretary Ogundele Ayodele, the group asked for the national minimum wage to be increased from N70,000 to N300,000.

They also proposed N1.5 million as the salary for Level 17 Step 1 officers.

The FWF said the N70,000 minimum wage approved in July 2024 has not been fully implemented. They alleged that only a flat N40,000 increase was added across all levels, and that consequential adjustments and allowances are still outstanding.

The forum said the rising cost of living has made the current wage “inadequate and frustrating.”

“We call for justice and immediate wage review now,” the letter stated. “Federal workers are dying in instalments; we are suffering in silence. Our salary is too poor; it is not taking us home.”

The group cited high costs of food, transport, rent, electricity, gas and data as reasons for the demand. They also alleged that many workers are now indebted to microfinance banks and loan apps just to get to work, while some have resorted to firewood because they can’t afford cooking gas.

Proposed New Salary Structure

Under the FWF proposal:

– Level 1: N300,000

– Level 7: N480,000

– Level 10: N600,000

– Level 15: N1,000,000

– Level 17: N1,500,000

The forum said the proposal was based on estimated monthly expenses and can “be accommodated” from increased government revenue and crude oil earnings.

Other Demands

1. Payment of all outstanding salaries, promotion arrears and entitlements

2. Implementation of 40% peculiar allowance and full consequential adjustment

3. Permanent Cost of Living Allowance + Family Support Allowance

4. Comprehensive health insurance for workers and pensioners

5. Car and housing loan schemes, free education for workers’ children

6. Investigation into claims that workers’ pension savings are being borrowed by the executive

7. Return of petrol subsidy, price control, and stronger social security

The FWF argued that workers are the “engine room of governance” and should benefit from improved national earnings. They urged lawmakers not to wait until July 2027 – the next statutory review – before acting.

“It has been three years of torture, torment and agony for federal workers since fuel subsidy removal,” the group said.

Source: Punch News.