Abuja, Nigeria – Relief is on the horizon for federal government workers in Nigeria as the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has announced the imminent commencement of payment for the outstanding five months of the ₦35,000 monthly wage award.

According to a statement released by the OAGF earlier today, the disbursement of these arrears will begin immediately after the payment of April 2025 salaries, which is expected this week. The outstanding sum will be paid out in five equal monthly installments of ₦35,000 each.

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The ₦35,000 wage award was initially introduced in 2023 as a temporary measure to alleviate the economic hardship faced by workers following the removal of fuel subsidies. This agreement was reached between the Federal Government and labor unions during negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

While the government had previously disbursed five months of the wage award in installments, the remaining five months had been pending, causing some agitation among federal workers. Today’s announcement from the OAGF brings clarity and a timeline for the resolution of this outstanding payment.

The OAGF emphasized the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of its workforce, stating that the full implementation of all policies and agreements related to staff remuneration is a priority. This move is expected to boost the morale and productivity of federal workers across the country.

It is important to distinguish this development from the ongoing implementation of the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000, which took effect in July 2024. While the minimum wage aims for a long-term increase in the base salary, this recent announcement specifically addresses the arrears of the temporary wage award agreed upon in the interim.

Federal government employees are advised to look out for the first installment of the arrears shortly after receiving their April salaries. This development will be welcomed by many who have been anticipating the fulfillment of this agreement.

The government hopes that this step will further strengthen the relationship with its workforce and demonstrate its commitment to addressing their concerns amidst the current economic realities.