In a move that underscores the Nigerian government’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of its public servants, an official announcement from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) has confirmed a substantial salary increase for civil servants. The pay raise, effective from January 1, 2024, will see salaries boosted by 25 to 35 percent across six consolidated salary structures.
The structures affected by this increase are:
- Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS)
- Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS)
- Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS)
- Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS)
- Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS)
- Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS)
This decision follows earlier increments granted to the tertiary education and health sectors, encompassing university, polytechnic, and college academic staff, as well as medical and health sector workers.
Moreover, the federal government has also sanctioned a pension increase of 20 to 28 percent for retirees under the Defined Benefits Scheme linked to the aforementioned salary structures.
The announcement has elicited reactions from various quarters. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the pay rise to be extended to all civil servant categories, emphasizing inclusivity. Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged President Bola Tinubu and state governors to prioritize the welfare and working conditions of Nigerian workers.
This development comes against the backdrop of a sobering estimate from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which suggests that climate change-induced workplace hazards could result in the annual deaths of over a million workers worldwide.
Amidst these discussions, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki have commended Nigerian workers for their steadfastness and commitment to their duties.
NLC’s Head of Information and Publicity, Comrade Benson Upah, acknowledged the pay rise as a positive step but highlighted the need for the government to ensure that the increase reflects the country’s challenging economic conditions. Upah further noted that while the current beneficiaries are from specialized services, there is an expectation for the increase to be extended to other civil servants, particularly those in lower cadres who are more vulnerable to economic pressures.
