The federal government has announced plans to commence the payment of the outstanding five months’ arrears of the N35,000 wage award to federal government workers.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) disclosed that arrangements had been concluded to settle the outstanding payments. The statement was signed by Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the OAGF.
According to the OAGF, the federal government had previously paid five months of the wage award to eligible workers in instalments.
It noted, however, that arrears for an additional five months remain outstanding, and that these will now be paid in instalments of N35,000 per month over five months.
The OAGF clarified that the first instalment of the outstanding arrears would be disbursed immediately after the payment of April 2025 salaries. It explained that while workers would receive their normal salaries for April as scheduled, the separate payment for the wage award arrears would follow promptly.
“The wage award arrears would not be paid with the April 2025 salary; it will come immediately after the salary is paid,” the statement read.
The office also stated that the federal government remains committed to implementing all policies and agreements relating to staff remuneration and welfare.
It indicated that measures are being put in place to ensure that the welfare of workers is adequately addressed, recognising its critical role in promoting increased productivity and operational efficiency across ministries, departments, and agencies.
The N35,000 wage award was part of the palliative measures introduced by the Federal Government to cushion the effects of economic reforms, particularly following the removal of fuel subsidies and other fiscal adjustments.
Workers had previously received part of the wage award in response to negotiations between the government and labour unions, which sought to mitigate the rising cost of living.
With this latest development, federal employees who had been awaiting the settlement of the remaining arrears can now expect phased payments starting from the end of April 2025.
The OAGF assured workers that it would work closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure seamless disbursement and that no eligible employee would be left out of the process.