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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Afternoon recap: FG spent N9.39tn on wage hike, Fayose speaks on Osun poll, Obi’s 2027 chances

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Nigeria's Federal Government spent N9.39 trillion on wage increases and allowances for public workers between June 2023 and December 2025.
  • Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose described President Tinubu as "magnanimous" regarding the Osun governorship election.
  • The All Progressives Congress has scheduled primary elections for August 22 for legislative posts.

The Nigerian Federal Government allocated N9.39 trillion towards minimum wage increases, salary adjustments, and allowances for public workers over a 31-month period, from June 2023 to December 2025. This figure, disclosed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, exceeded the government's N5.4 trillion share of funds mobilized from subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.

The Federal Government spent N9.39tn on wage adjustments, minimum wage increases and other allowances for public workers between June 2023 and December 2025.

— Taiwo OyedeleDisclosing government expenditure on public worker compensation.

In political commentary, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose characterized President Bola Tinubu as "magnanimous" in the context of the Osun governorship election held on August 15. Fayose asserted that the Federal Government could have influenced the election's outcome but chose not to. He contrasted this with the 2018 Ekiti election, where he alleged the Federal Government used its influence, including communication jamming and security detail withdrawal, to secure a win against him.

Fayose also claimed the Accord Party spent at least N40 billion during the Osun election, disputing singer Davido's assertion that the party relied solely on popular support. Furthermore, Fayose stated that Peter Obi's chances for the 2027 presidential election were diminished the moment he left the African Democratic Congress for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, arguing that opposition disunity harms their prospects against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

President Tinubu was 'magnanimous' during the August 15 Osun governorship election, arguing the Federal Government could have influenced the outcome if it wished but chose not to.

— Ayodele FayoseCommenting on the fairness of the Osun governorship election.

In other news, the APC has set August 22, 2026, for primary elections to select candidates for four restored State House of Assembly constituencies and legislative bye-elections. The timetable includes the sale of forms from August 18–20 and screening on August 21. Additionally, military retirees protested pension adjustments at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, prompting a heavy security deployment.

Peter Obi lost his 2027 chance the day he left the ADC.

— Ayodele FayoseAssessing Peter Obi's presidential prospects.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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