Civil servants at Federal Secretariat Abuja
Numerous civil servants in Abuja have called on the Federal Government to settle the four-month backlog of the N35,000 wage award, expressing frustration over the delay in payments.
They shared their concerns in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, highlighting the government’s slow response.
The demand follows an announcement on April 28, 2025, by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), where Mr. Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations, confirmed the government’s plan to clear the outstanding five-month wage award arrears.
Mokwa stated that the payments would be made in monthly installments of N35,000, starting after the April 2025 salaries.
“The wage award arrears will not be included with the April 2025 salary but will commence immediately after and continue for five months,” he explained.
However, since the payment of one month’s arrears in May, no further disbursements have been made, leaving civil servants awaiting the remaining four months.
Mokwa had emphasized the government’s commitment to fulfilling policies on staff welfare to boost productivity, but the delay has sparked discontent.
A civil servant, Dr. Uche Anune, criticized the government’s approach, saying, “I see a pattern where the government only acts when workers agitate or protest. That shouldn’t be the case.”
He added, “The government wasn’t forced into this promise. The honorable thing is to keep their word and do what’s right.”
Another civil servant, Mr. Joseph Edeh, expressed disappointment, urging the government to pay the remaining arrears in a single lump sum.
“They promised to clear five months’ arrears, paid one, and then stopped. This makes us lose faith. They should settle the four months at once and move on,” he said.
Miss Franca Ofili echoed the sentiment, stressing the financial strain caused by the delay.
“That N35,000 can solve many financial problems for us.
The government should fulfill its promise and clear the arrears immediately to ease our burden,” she urged.
The civil servants collectively appealed for prompt action, emphasizing that clearing the outstanding payments would demonstrate the government’s sincerity and commitment to their welfare.
