After months of anticipation, the Nigerian government has pledged to begin settling the five-month backlog of the N35,000 wage award promised to federal workers — a move likely to bring some relief to thousands feeling the pinch of rising living costs.
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) made the announcement on Monday in Abuja, stating that the first installment of the arrears will be disbursed immediately after the April 2025 salary is paid.
Confirming the development, the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, said the payments would follow the same phased structure as the initial five months of wage awards that were previously distributed in tranches.
“The wage award arrears would not be paid with the April 2025 salary; it will come immediately after the salary is paid,” the OAGF clarified.
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The wage award, introduced as a temporary cushioning measure for federal employees during the government’s economic reforms, was part of efforts to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal and inflation on public servants.
While the initial rollout of the awards was welcomed, the delay in clearing the remaining months has been a source of discontent for many workers.
With this renewed commitment from the federal government, hopes are high that the arrears will be fully settled by the end of the new installment schedule.
The announcement comes at a critical time, as labor unions have ramped up pressure for more accountability and welfare support amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic adjustments.