The National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC) has finalized the computation for the new minimum wage for junior federal workers, while calculations for senior staff are expected to be completed within the next two to three weeks. According to a source within the Presidency, both sets of data will be forwarded to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) for further processing and implementation.
The NSIWC is also awaiting the conclusion of ongoing negotiations between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the federal government. These discussions aim to ensure that workers' remuneration is appropriately adjusted in line with the new minimum wage, referred to as the consequential adjustment.
Junior workers, categorized as those on grade levels one to five, are set to see their monthly earnings increase from N30,000 to N70,000. Senior staff members, on grade levels six and above, will receive adjusted wages according to the final agreements.
The source indicated that the computations for junior workers have been completed and will soon be sent to the Accountant General’s office. The consequential adjustment is a key part of the new wage structure, reflecting the recent agreement between the Federal Government and labor unions. This adjustment will establish new salary scales for senior workers, ensuring their pay is proportionate to the updated minimum wage.
Discussions between labor leaders and the government are ongoing to finalize the percentage increases for different worker categories as part of the consequential adjustment. Once agreed upon, these adjustments will be sent to the NSIWC for computation.
An official from the OAGF confirmed readiness to receive the final wage details from the NSIWC. This data is essential for calculating the total wage bill under the new remuneration structure, which is expected to significantly impact the federal government’s financial planning.
Before the adjustment, the federal government's monthly wage bill was approximately N265 billion, covering all federal employees, including armed forces and civil servants. With the new wage structure, this amount is anticipated to increase.
President Bola Tinubu's administration has been actively addressing wage-related issues amid rising living costs and economic challenges. Following a meeting with NLC and TUC leaders on July 15, President Tinubu approved the wage increase, which was subsequently legislated by the National Assembly and signed into law. The new legislation also requires a review of the minimum wage every three years to ensure it remains aligned with economic conditions.
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