The National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has formally demanded a N154,000 minimum wage, representing a 120 per cent upward review of salaries and allowances for Nigerian civil servants.
This bold move aims to rescue public workers from what the council describes as a “life of servitude” amid Nigeria’s worsening economic climate.
A Formal Call for Economic Justice
In a letter dated 12 March 2026, addressed to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the council detailed the urgent need for a financial lifeline.
The document, signed by National Chairman Benjamin Anthony and National Secretary Olowoyo Gbenga, followed an exhaustive meeting held in Abuja on 9 March.
The council’s leadership stated firmly: “The National leadership of Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), writes to respectfully but firmly call the attention of your esteemed office to the urgent necessity for an upward review of salaries and allowances of all serving Public Servants in the Nigeria Public Service.”
The Erosion of Purchasing Power
The union highlighted that despite the vital contributions of civil servants, they face “severe economic hardship” due to the falling value of their take-home pay. Nigeria has seen unprecedented spikes in the cost of fuel, food, housing, and healthcare, leaving many workers unable to meet basic needs.
“The above realities have significantly eroded the real value of workers’ salaries and have made it increasingly difficult for many public servants to maintain a decent standard of living. It is important to note that the last major adjustments in workers’ remuneration have not sufficiently kept pace with the current economic realities.”
The council warned that this financial strain is directly harming morale and productivity across the public sector. While praising the “remarkable patience” of the workforce, the JNPSNC stressed that concrete steps are now required to safeguard their dignity.
The Proposed “New Deal” for Workers
The JNPSNC has laid out a specific roadmap for the federal government to follow.
This includes:
- Immediate Negotiations: Directing the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to begin talks on a new salary template.
- The N154,000 Baseline: Setting the minimum salary for an officer on Grade Level 01 Step 1 at N154,000 per month.
- National Wage Harmonisation: Ensuring these reviews apply across all MDAs and encouraging state governments to follow suit.
- Inflation Indexing: Introducing automatic adjustments to prevent wages from lagging behind inflation in the future.
A Warning Against Inaction
The union emphasised that a wage review is not just an economic choice but a social necessity. They cautioned that failure to act could lead to “spontaneous social unrest” if the current hardships continue unaddressed.
“We trust that this request will receive the prompt attention and action it deserves in the interest of workers… so as to nip in the bud possible escalation that may nosedive into spontaneous social unrest.”
