Nigerian Civil servants across the country have intensified calls for the immediate payment of their N35,000 wage arrears, expressing frustration over prolonged delays in settling the backlog.
The arrears, which were promised by the federal government-led by President Bola Tinubu as part of a wage review, have remained unpaid despite repeated assurances.
Speaking on behalf of affected workers, a union leader stated, “Our members have waited patiently, but the continued delays are causing hardship. We are urging the authorities to act immediately and release the funds owed to civil servants.”
The delay in payment has reportedly affected workers’ ability to meet basic needs, including rent, school fees, and healthcare expenses.
Many civil servants have turned to loans and other forms of credit to bridge the financial gap caused by the unpaid arrears.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Ministry of Finance regarding the delay were unsuccessful, but sources within the ministry indicated that bureaucratic and budgetary constraints have contributed to the holdup.
Analysts, however, argued that timely payment of wage arrears is crucial to maintain worker morale and prevent industrial unrest.
Labour unions have threatened to escalate the matter if payment is not made promptly, with warnings of potential strikes or industrial action. Meanwhile, civil servants continue to call for transparency and accountability in the handling of wage arrears.
This issue highlights ongoing challenges in public sector wage management and the urgent need for the government to address the backlog to ensure the welfare of its workforce.
