Civil Servants Demand Payment Of Four Month Wage Arrears

Federal civil servants in Abuja are asking the government to clear the remaining arrears from the promised ₦35,000 wage award.

The arrears, which have built up to four months, were part of a five-month wage boost announced earlier this year.

The demand comes as many workers express frustration over the government’s delay in fulfilling its commitment. The Federal Government had earlier promised to pay ₦35,000 monthly for five months to cushion the effect of economic hardship. However, after paying the first batch in May, the rest of the installments have not been received.

The wage award was announced by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation in April. The statement explained that the arrears would be paid separately from regular salaries, and the first part was to follow the April salary. Workers were told the award would continue monthly for the next five months.

Since then, no further payments have been made. This delay has left civil servants feeling neglected. Many now believe the government is backtracking on its promise, leading to a growing sense of disappointment.

Some workers say the silence from government officials has made matters worse. They argue that the funds could make a big difference in their daily lives, especially at a time when prices of food and transportation keep rising.

Others are calling for all remaining arrears to be paid at once, rather than in bits. According to them, dragging the process creates uncertainty and makes it harder to plan financially. There’s also concern that the promise may eventually be abandoned altogether.

The issue has now sparked wider conversations about how the government treats its workforce. Many civil servants feel the delay shows a lack of seriousness in handling workers’ welfare. They are urging the authorities to act without being pushed or forced by public pressure.

At the moment, there is no update from the Accountant-General’s office or the Ministry of Finance. Workers say the government must keep its word and complete the payment without further delay.