Workers forum threatens nationwide strike over insecurity, wages

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has issued a threat of an indefinite nationwide strike, citing the country's worsening insecurity and persistent unresolved wage issues. The forum expressed dissatisfaction with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, accusing them of failing to provide adequate leadership in addressing these pressing concerns.

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May 2026 salaries have been paid, but no wage award was given as promised by the Minister of Finance, and consequential adjustments remain outstanding.

An online poll of FWF members reportedly showed overwhelming support for immediate strike action to confront the current hardship and insecurity crisis. The forum claims that the July 2024 minimum wage adjustment has been largely ineffective for federal workers. According to the FWF, only a flat N40,000 was added to salaries across all grade levels, and this amount was taxed, resulting in significantly less take-home pay.

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Federal workers are already getting used to forfeiting their promotion arrears and, as a matter of fact, some salaries and numerous arrears have entered ‘voice mail’

Further grievances include the alleged non-payment of a promised 40 percent "peculiar allowance," which the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation had indicated would take effect from May 1, 2026, but was later reportedly disavowed by the Office of the Accountant-General. May 2026 salaries have been paid without the promised wage award, and consequential adjustments remain outstanding. The communiqué also noted that workers are accustomed to forfeiting promotion arrears, with many salaries and arrears entering "voice mail."

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Greek gift

The FWF specifically rejected the Nigerian Governors' Forum's recent N100,000 minimum wage proposal, labeling it a "Greek gift" intended to suppress wages and a "wicked conspiracy against workers." The forum is demanding a living wage and the immediate settlement of all outstanding arrears and cost-of-living allowances. On the issue of insecurity, the FWF highlighted that federal workers live in constant fear due to routine kidnappings and attacks, condemning recent incidents involving children and teachers in Oyo and Borno States.

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wicked conspiracy against workers