The Nigerian government has commenced the payment of the long-awaited N35,000 wage award arrears to its employees, fulfilling a key part of its commitment to support workers amid prevailing economic challenges.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Bawa Mokwa.
According to the statement, many federal government employees have already received the first tranche of the payment, while others who are yet to be credited will receive theirs shortly.
The arrears are being paid in five instalments of N35,000 each, amounting to a total of N175,000 per beneficiary.
The OAGF also addressed reports circulating in some sections of the media suggesting that the N35,000 wage award had been excluded from the 2025 Budget. The Office clarified that at no point did the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Babatunde Ogunjimi, make such a claim.
“There was no press briefing by the Accountant General on the matter of wage award,” the statement read. “Any report quoting him as excluding the N35,000 from the 2025 budget is entirely false.”
The Office further stated that all outstanding arrears of the wage award would be settled in line with the government’s assurance to organised labour and public service employees.
The wage award was introduced by the Federal Government as part of palliative measures to cushion the impact of recent subsidy removal and associated economic reforms. It is intended to bridge the gap pending the conclusion of negotiations on a new minimum wage.
The commencement of payment comes after months of anticipation and advocacy from labour unions, who had pressed for the full implementation of the government’s promise.
The payment is expected to provide some relief to federal workers, many of whom have been grappling with inflationary pressures and rising cost of living.
The OAGF urged patience from workers who have not yet received their arrears, assuring that the payroll system is actively processing all outstanding entitlements.
