Federal Workers Demand ₦300,000 Minimum Wage, ₦1.5m Maximum Salary
Federal workers demand a new salary structure
Federal workers have asked the Federal Government to raise the minimum wage for federal civil servants from ₦70,000 to ₦300,000, citing rising living costs and what they described as inadequate implementation of the 2024 wage review.
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The Federal Workers Forum made the demand in a letter dated September 2, 2026, addressed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly, with other senior government officials listed among the recipients. The forum also proposed a new salary structure that would place the highest-paid Level 17 officer on ₦1.5 million monthly.
Workers Seek Immediate Wage Review
The Federal Workers Forum said the existing salary structure no longer adequately covers essential household expenses, including food, transportation, accommodation, electricity, cooking gas and telecommunications.
Under its proposal, Level 1 Step 1 workers would earn ₦300,000 per month, while the salary would increase progressively across the civil service structure.
The proposed salaries include ₦330,000 for Level 2, ₦360,000 for Level 3, ₦390,000 for Level 4, ₦420,000 for Level 5, ₦450,000 for Level 6 and ₦480,000 for Level 7.
The forum proposed ₦510,000 for Level 8, ₦550,000 for Level 9, ₦600,000 for Level 10, ₦700,000 for Level 12, ₦750,000 for Level 13, ₦800,000 for Level 14, ₦1 million for Level 15, ₦1.2 million for Level 16 and ₦1.5 million for Level 17 officers.
Forum Raises Concerns Over 2024 Wage Implementation
The workers also alleged that the Federal Government has not fully implemented the 2024 national minimum wage agreement.
According to the forum, although the 2024 review increased the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, federal workers have yet to receive what it considers the full consequential adjustment and associated allowances.
The forum said the increase translated into a uniform ₦40,000 adjustment across federal civil service salary levels, which it argues has become insufficient amid subsequent increases in household expenses.
The workers are therefore calling for a broader review rather than another limited adjustment to the existing structure.
Rising Living Costs Put Pressure on Household Budgets
The demand comes against the backdrop of continuing pressure on household purchasing power.
The forum specifically identified accommodation, transportation, food, electricity and cooking gas among the expenses putting pressure on workers' incomes.
It also claimed that some federal employees have resorted to borrowing from microfinance institutions and digital lending platforms to meet basic household needs.
The accommodation component is particularly relevant to the housing market, as rent remains one of the largest recurring expenses for households that do not own their homes.
Wage Levels Remain Important to Housing Affordability
Higher wages could improve the ability of salaried workers to meet rental obligations and save towards homeownership if increases keep pace with broader household expenses.
For federal workers, the proposed salary review could therefore have implications for both rental affordability and demand for housing finance.
However, wage increases alone may not resolve Nigeria's housing affordability challenges. Where rents, land prices, building-material costs and mortgage rates rise faster than incomes, the gains from higher salaries can be quickly absorbed by housing and other essential expenses.
The effectiveness of any wage adjustment in improving living standards will therefore depend partly on how housing and other household costs evolve.
Workers Demand Broader Review of Salary Structure
The Federal Workers Forum's proposal seeks to establish a more graduated salary structure across the federal civil service.
The proposed structure would increase the gap between entry-level and senior positions while providing higher salaries across the various levels.
The forum described the proposed ₦300,000 minimum and ₦1.5 million maximum as part of its call for what it considers a more sustainable wage structure for federal employees.
Any decision by the Federal Government would have implications for its wage bill and public-sector expenditure and would require consideration alongside other fiscal commitments.
Housing Sector Could Feel the Impact
A significant adjustment to public-sector wages could influence housing demand, particularly among salaried households.
Workers with higher disposable incomes may have greater capacity to afford rental payments, accumulate savings for property purchases or meet the requirements for housing finance.
For developers and mortgage providers, changes in household income can affect the size and type of housing that workers can realistically afford.
However, stronger purchasing power could also increase demand in already undersupplied rental markets if the supply of affordable housing does not expand at the same pace.
Outlook
The Federal Workers Forum is seeking a substantial review of the federal salary structure, with a proposed minimum wage of ₦300,000 and a maximum monthly salary of ₦1.5 million for Level 17 officers.
The proposal reflects concerns over the impact of rising household costs and the adequacy of the existing wage structure.
For the housing sector, the outcome will be particularly relevant because accommodation is among the major expenses identified by the workers. Any improvement in household incomes could strengthen housing affordability for some employees, but sustained gains will depend on whether wage growth is matched by greater supply of affordable homes and moderation in housing-related costs.
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