Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige says a pay rise has been approved for all Federal Public Servants.
The announcement comes only days after the Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a massive 20 per cent pay increase for the State’s Public Servants.
Mr Ngige (pictured), who had no details of the size of the Federal increase, said it was needed in view of the current economic reality.
“The money will help Government workers navigate through inflation, rising cost of living, hikes in transportation fares, housing and electricity tariffs,” Mr Ngige said.
“In the Presidential Committee on Salaries, we have done something for the Civil Servants, for those who are on the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure and some publically-owned corporations.”
Asked why he had no details about the size of the increase, he said that was for the President to approve.
“We have put a percentage for the President to approve. We have approved it at committee level, and when it is known it will be backdated to 1 January,” the Minister said.
“We believe it is affordable — provision has been made in the 2023 Budget.”
The Minister also said the redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria had curbed insecurity and vote-buying during the recent General Election.
However, Mr Ngige admitted that the implementation of the policy had not been smooth.
Abuja, 31 March 2023.
