Civil servants across Nigeria have cause for celebration as the Federal Government has sanctioned a salary increase ranging from 25% to 35%. This augmentation applies to the remaining six Consolidated Salary Structures (CONSS) following earlier adjustments made for the Tertiary Education and Health Sectors.
The affected salary structures encompass the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS), and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).
This uplifting development is retroactive, with the increment taking effect from January 1st, 2024. Retirees under the Defined Benefits Scheme linked to these six structures will also witness an upsurge in their pensions, ranging from 20% to 28%, effective from the same date.
The announcement was relayed in a statement issued by Emmanuel Njoku, the Head of Press for the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). This action by the Federal Government reflects its commitment to addressing concerns regarding civil servant remuneration and enhancing their overall welfare.
Furthermore, the government has declared that the new minimum wage will come into force from May 1, 2024. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, disclosed this during an address to Nigerian workers at the celebration held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Despite ongoing negotiations by the Tripartite Committee on the national minimum wage, the decision to implement the new wage was announced. Onyejeocha expressed regret that the new minimum wage was not finalized before the stated date but assured that comprehensive consultations are underway to expedite the process of finalizing the document.
