Tension Rises in Federal Civil Service Over Salary Cuts, Unpaid Arrears

Tension Rises in Federal Civil Service Over Salary Cuts, Unpaid Arrears
Unpaid arrears and allowances deepen civil service crisis.
Labour warns unrest if government fails to act.

Anxiety and anger have spread across the Federal Civil Service as workers in ministries, departments and agencies struggle with unexplained salary reductions, unpaid arrears and the absence of official communication from the Federal Government.

EDITOR’S PICKS

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Labour sources warned that the growing dissatisfaction could trigger industrial unrest if urgent steps are not taken to address the grievances.

Investigations showed that many federal workers have faced months of financial strain, with shrinking monthly salaries, delayed allowances and promotion arrears dating back several years. Some employees described the development as unprecedented, noting that certain state governments are now paying higher wages than the Federal Government.

At the centre of the complaints is the non issuance of pay slips since September 2025, leaving workers unable to verify deductions or understand the steady drop in their take home pay.

Staff in the Federal Ministry of Information, Labour and Employment, Agriculture and Education, as well as agencies under them including the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Television Authority, said salaries have reduced monthly without explanation.

Workers also decried the non payment of three months wage award arrears. Promotion arrears remain unsettled, with officers promoted in 2023 receiving only partial payments, while those elevated in 2024 and 2025 are yet to receive any arrears.

The 20 per cent weighing in allowance has reportedly not been paid since August 2024, while the 40 per cent Peculiar Allowance approved under former President Muhammadu Buhari was last paid in July 2024.

“Morale is at its lowest ebb. People cannot explain their salaries, promotions mean nothing anymore, and allowances have vanished,” a senior civil servant said.

Workers are demanding transparency on deductions, release of outstanding pay slips and immediate settlement of all arrears, warning that continued silence could disrupt service delivery.