• The Federal Government has approved sweeping increase in allowances and welfare benefits for civil servants
• The reforms apply to workers under CONPSS and CONRAISS salary structures
• The reform comes amid rising cost of living and aims to improve morale, financial stability, and productivity in the public sector

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a significant increase in peculiar allowances and welfare benefits for civil servants, in a move designed to improve their take-home pay and boost morale across the public service.

The announcement was made on Friday, April 24, by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, during a press briefing in Abuja, where she outlined key reforms endorsed by the Federal Executive Council.

According to Walson-Jack, the revised package covers employees under both the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), ensuring that workers across various cadres benefit from the adjustments.

She explained that the restructuring of peculiar allowances cuts across all grade levels, resulting in noticeable income increases for both junior and senior officers.

In addition to this, the government has approved upward reviews of several major allowances, including Duty Tour Allowance (DTA), estacode, and book allowance.

Walson-Jack noted that nearly all allowances listed under the Public Service Rules have now been adjusted.

A key highlight of the reform is the introduction of a 100 percent Duty Tour Allowance for civil servants attending approved training programmes, regardless of whether travel is required.

“Even if you are based in Abuja and attend training within Abuja, you are entitled to full DTA,” she said.

Beyond salary-related improvements, the Federal Government has also introduced a new exit benefit scheme for retiring civil servants under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

The initiative guarantees 100 percent of a retiree’s total annual emoluments as an exit package, in addition to their pension, effective January 1, 2026.

Walson-Jack described the reform as a critical step toward ensuring dignity in retirement, emphasising that no public servant should leave service without adequate financial support.

The government further confirmed the operational rollout of the Employee Compensation Scheme, which provides financial protection for workers who suffer job-related injuries or death.

These reforms come at a time of increasing pressure from labour unions calling for improved worker welfare, as rising living costs continue to strain incomes.

Analysts believe the combined measures could strengthen financial stability for civil servants while enhancing productivity across the public sector.

FG unveils N10bn housing loan scheme to boost civil servants’ home ownership

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government had approved a N10 billion housing loan scheme aimed at helping Nigerian civil servants achieve home ownership, in a move designed to strengthen workforce stability and productivity.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, noted that the initiative would be implemented through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board.

According to her, the programme is part of broader efforts to improve the welfare of civil servants while enhancing their efficiency and commitment to national service.