- The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) is demanding a new minimum wage of N154,000 for federal public servants
- The proposal includes a 120% increase in salaries and allowances as the council warns that inaction could lead to social unrest
- The council blames inflation, fuel hikes, and rising living costs for workers’ hardship
Organised Labour, under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), has formally proposed a new minimum wage of N154,000 alongside a 120 per cent increase in salaries and allowances for Nigerian public servants.
The demand, conveyed in a letter dated March 12, 2026, and addressed to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, reflects growing concerns over the worsening economic realities faced by workers.
Titled “Urgent need for the upward review of salaries and allowances of workers in the Nigerian public service and commendation for the approval of gratuity payment to retiring workers,” the letter was jointly signed by the National Chairman, Benjamin Anthony, and the National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga.
The council said the proposal followed deliberations at its March 9 meeting held at the AUPCTRE National Secretariat in Abuja.
According to the letter, “The National leadership of Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council writes to respectfully but firmly call the attention of your esteemed office to the urgent necessity for an upward review of salaries and allowances of all serving Public Servants in the Nigerian Public Service.
“Despite their immense contributions, public service workers continue to face severe economic hardship due to the rising cost of living and the declining purchasing power of their earnings.”
The council highlighted the impact of inflation, fuel price hikes, and rising costs of transportation, food, housing, healthcare, and education, noting that these factors have significantly diminished workers’ real income.
“The above realities have significantly eroded the real value of workers’ salaries and have made it increasingly difficult for many public servants to maintain a decent standard of living.
“It is important to note that the last major adjustments in workers’ remuneration have not sufficiently kept pace with the current economic realities.
“Many workers are now struggling to meet basic financial obligations, which has inevitably affected the morale, motivation, and overall productivity within the Public Service.”
The JNPSNC stressed that a comprehensive salary review is long overdue.
“An upward review of workers’ salaries and allowances is a desideratum,” the council stated.
While commending workers for their resilience, it warned that urgent intervention is needed to prevent further decline in welfare.
“However, it stressed that concrete steps must now be taken to safeguard their welfare and dignity.”
To address the situation, the council urged the immediate commencement of negotiations involving the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission and other relevant bodies.
“Consequently, new salary templates should be developed such that the minimum salary payable to an officer on Grade Level 01 Step 1 shall be N154,000 per month for Federal Public Servants (120% increase in Salaries and allowances).
“Harmonise Wages: ensure that the upward review is applied across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and strongly encourage implementation at sub-national levels to ensure equity;
“Implement Cost-of-Living Adjustments: Introduce automatic, periodic salary and allowance adjustments that align with inflation rates to prevent the recurring lag between wage review cycles; and prioritise welfare components: in addition to basic salary, implement non-monetary incentives such as subsidised transportation and affordable housing for civil servants.”
The council described the proposed wage adjustment as both an economic and social necessity.
“We remain committed to constructive dialogue, resourceful engagement and collaboration with the government toward achieving a fair, sustainable, and mutually beneficial outcome for all stakeholders.
“We trust that this request will receive the prompt attention and action it deserves in the interest of workers, the Public Service as an institution and the nation at large; so as to nip in the bud possible escalation that may nosedive into spontaneous social unrest.”
In the same letter, the council commended President Bola Tinubu for approving a 100 per cent gratuity payment for retiring federal public servants, describing it as a major step toward improving post-service welfare.
“From the perspective of the national leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, the approval is not only a positive development but also a bold step towards ensuring that retiring public servants escape the life of servitude and serfdom often being experienced when out of public service which is always characterised by impoverish life after service.”