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Minimum wage: Disquiet as FG makes selective payment
Minimum wage: Disquiet as FG makes selective payment
There appears to be selective payment of the N70,000 new minimum wage by the Federal Government, which has triggered fresh tension among federal public workers, as most of those yet to be paid have decried the development.
According to some staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, who haven’t seen any addition to their salaries, this is the height of insensitivity on the part of the government whose policies brought hardship and hunger.
This category includes workers of federal universities.
But sources in the Accountant-General’s and Budget Office painted different pictures of the situation on the ground last night.
While the Accountant-General’s office said the new minimum wage was effected along with September salary, the Budget Office said N40,000 was paid across the board to all federal workers but workers are denying this.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu signed the N70,000 minimum wage into law on July 18, 2024, after about two months of protracted negotiations among the tripartite committee members, comprising representatives of government, Organised Private Sector, OPS and organised labour, made up of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart.
One of the staff of an MDA who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said: “We are fed up with the whole system. We do not know what the government wants us to do.
‘’It is bad enough that the government removed fuel subsidy and inflicted unbearable suffering and hardship, including hunger on workers and other Nigerians across the country, it is even worse than the minimum wage that has been signed into law for months, in fact, since July, has not been implemented.
“We even heard that some few workers in the core civil service have seen some amount added to their salaries. What sort of arrangement is that? What sort of selective payment is that? Are we not in the same country and experiencing the same hardship and hunger?
‘’It is pure discrimination and salary slavery designed to keep some of us in perpetual bondage. We have been frustrated, denied and even humiliated by the policies of the government. Many of us have resorted to sleeping in offices, while many others who do not want to sleep in offices trek long distances to work.
“To worsen the suffering, many of us now starve or indulge in self-imposed fasts to cope with the situation. We cannot meet responsibilities to our immediate and extended families. Our children have not resumed school as we have no money to pay their fees and other necessities. We do not know why the government has decided to inflict pain and suffering on us.
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“Since the new minimum wage was signed into law, the government has also increased the pump price of petrol and electricity tariff, eroding the value of the new minimum wage that has not even been implemented.
“How does the government want us to survive this assault? Prices of essential communities have continued to rise without any palliative from the government. This is wicked and unfair.”
FG pays N40, 000 in lieu of minimum wage
However, a source in the office of the AGF told Vanguard yesterday that the new minimum wage was effected along with the September salary.
But a source in the Office of Budget and National Planning, who pleaded anonymity, said N40,000 was paid to all Federal Government staff across the board instead of the minimum wage.
He explained that the idea was for those formerly on N30,000 minimum wage to have their wages moved to N70,000 with the additional N40,000.
Some federal workers, who spoke with Vanguard, acknowledged receipt of an extra N40,000 in their September salary.
However, a Federal Government explanatory note on the N40, 000 board payment obtained by Vanguard yesterday, read: “On the 40,000 flat rates narrated as ‘minimum wage’ in the September pay slip, it is just a temporary measure to pay something to civil servants before the official template of the minimum wage becomes available.
“As at the time the September salary voucher was prepared, the template for the new minimum wage was yet to be concluded.
“So, it was concluded that a flat rate be paid to all civil servants, irrespective of level, pending when the template will be available.
“That is why N40,000 was reflected in the September pay slip as ‘minimum wage’. But in October, the official template that was released yesterday night will come into full effect.
Arrears of new minimum wage
“Note the new minimum wage by law came into effect on July 28. This means that there will be arrears for August only. But the issue is a 40k flat rate has already been included in the September salary.
“So, if arrears were to be paid, there will be a deduction of the N40,000 paid to you in August from the normal amount you are to receive as the increasing figure emanating from the new minimum wage template.”
Labour kicks
Reacting to the development, the President of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE, and Chairman of the National Joint Negotiating Council, NJIC, (on the Labour side), Benjamin Anthony, decried the selective payment of the new minimum wage.
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He said “An insignificant number of workers has received an addition to their monthly pay, but the majority have not received anything. What that means to me is that nobody has been paid the new minimum wage.
“We are in touch with the office of the Head of Service, HoS, and Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS. They told us they are making efforts to pay. That to us is very bad news.
“It is as if they do not know that there is hunger everywhere and some children have not gone back to school because of lack of money. This is quite sad.
SSANU, NAAT react
Speaking to Vanguard on the situation, the President of the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, Ibeji Nwokoma, said the delay has brought untold hardship to his members.
“Government has fallen short of expectations of public servants. Everybody was expecting that by now the new minimum wage would have been implemented to cushion the effect of an increase in the pump price of petrol.
“People are suffering, people are parking their cars and are unable to take their children to school and families can no longer cope with the present circumstances. We only hear that the government will pay today or pay tomorrow, nobody is sure.
“Government can no longer be trusted. The situation reduces productivity among the working class because people can no longer come to work and expect to go back happy. It’s really affecting productivity and confidence in the public service,’’ he said.
Similarly, the President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the delay is causing a lot of economic distress for his members.
He said: “University workers are worst hit as some of our members travel to far distances to get to work, which has in turn affected their morale in terms of productivity.
“We are frustrated with the delay and urge the government to commence the payment immediately to cushion the effect of high cost of living. The salaries members collect currently only take care of fuel and payment of transportation to work.’’
Minimum wage: Disquiet as FG makes selective payment
Vanguard
News
EFCC Arrests Abuja House Agent Over ₦288 Million Property Fraud
EFCC Arrests Abuja House Agent Over ₦288 Million Property Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested an Abuja-based real estate agent, Hajia Adama Ahmed Adamu, in connection with an alleged ₦288 million property fraud, the agency confirmed on Wednesday.
According to the EFCC, operatives of its Ilorin Zonal Directorate apprehended Adamu following a petition from a complainant, Alhaji Tanko Yawale, who alleged that the agent collected the funds under the pretext of facilitating the purchase of a property at House 31, Haile Selassie Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
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“Following the payment, Hajia Adamu allegedly failed to provide valid property documents and became evasive, raising suspicion and prompting a formal petition to the EFCC,” the commission stated on its official X handle.
Property-related fraud continues to be a recurring concern in Nigeria’s real estate sector, particularly in major cities like Abuja, where unsuspecting buyers often fall victim to agents posing as legitimate intermediaries. In response, the EFCC has intensified enforcement against land and housing scams, urging Nigerians to verify ownership and documentation before making payments.
The suspect is currently in EFCC custody as investigations continue. The commission also reiterated a warning to the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent property schemes and to report any suspected cases promptly.
EFCC Arrests Abuja House Agent Over ₦288 Million Property Fraud
News
Alkali resigns as Transport minister to chase Gombe governor’s seat
Alkali resigns as Transport minister to chase Gombe governor’s seat
The race for Gombe State’s Government House has officially claimed its latest heavyweight contender. Saidu Ahmed Alkali has stepped down from his role as the Minister of Transportation to focus entirely on his 2027 governorship bid.
Alkali’s exit follows a high-profile meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.
His departure was formalized via a circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
The move is not just about personal timing; it’s about legal compliance. Alkali is adhering to:
* Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026: Which mandates officials to vacate office before seeking elective posts.
* The INEC Timetable: With party primaries for the 2027 elections looming, the window for transition is closing.
* Presidential Directive: President Tinubu has been firm that any cabinet member eyeing an elective seat must resign before the primary process begins.
Alkali, a veteran politician and former Senator for Gombe North, is now the third member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to trade their ministerial portfolio for a campaign trail.
His resignation leaves a vacancy in the Ministry of Transportation at a critical time for the nation’s infrastructure projects, but signals a tightening of the political battlefield in Gombe.
The circular confirming the development was issued by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Ibrahim Kana.
The circular stated that the directive “followed the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries ahead of the 2027 election.”
News
US Senator Ted Cruz Alleges Nigerian Officials Behind Christian Killings
US Senator Ted Cruz Alleges Nigerian Officials Behind Christian Killings
United States Senator Ted Cruz has alleged that some Nigerian officials are complicit in attacks on Christians, warning that the United States could impose sanctions on those found responsible.
Cruz made the claim while reacting to the recent Plateau killings, particularly the deadly attack in Jos North area of Plateau State.
In a post on X, the lawmaker stated that American authorities are aware of those allegedly enabling the violence. He accused certain officials of creating an environment where Christians are “routinely persecuted and slaughtered,” adding that the U.S. has the tools to hold such individuals accountable.
The remarks followed a Palm Sunday attack on Angwan Rukuba, where gunmen invaded the community around 8:30 p.m., killing at least 12 people. Police confirmed the victims included 10 men and two women, with additional bodies later recovered during search operations.
The timing of the attack, coinciding with a major Christian observance, has heightened concerns about religious violence in Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt region.
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Governor Caleb Mutfwang visited the affected community, expressing sympathy to victims’ families and vowing justice.
“Your pain is my pain, and the pain of Plateau State. My administration will pursue justice relentlessly until the perpetrators are brought to book,” he said.
The state government also announced emergency measures, including free medical treatment for the injured and dignified burials for the deceased.
To prevent further breakdown of law and order, authorities imposed a 48-hour curfew in Jos North, which lasted from midnight March 29 to April 1, 2026. Security presence was also reinforced, with additional personnel deployed to stabilise the area.
Security agencies have since intensified operations to track down those responsible for the attack, while residents remain on edge.
Cruz’s comments have reignited international scrutiny over Nigeria’s security situation, especially recurring violence in the Middle Belt.
However, the Federal Government of Nigeria has consistently rejected claims of targeted religious persecution, maintaining that the violence is driven by criminality, insurgency, and communal conflicts rather than a coordinated campaign against Christians.
President Bola Tinubu has also dismissed allegations of religious genocide, stating that Nigeria’s challenges stem from terrorism and extremism, not faith-based targeting.
Similarly, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has engaged with U.S. officials in past diplomatic efforts to clarify the country’s security realities.
Despite these assurances, incidents like the Plateau attack continue to raise both local and global concerns, with growing calls for stronger action to curb violence and ensure accountability.
US Senator Ted Cruz Alleges Nigerian Officials Behind Christian Killings
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