A 25–35% pay raise for police officers, members of the armed forces, and public employees has been authorized by the federal government.

Through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, it made this announcement on Tuesday and stated that the pay increase will begin on January 1, 2024.

The authorized compensation raise of 25–35 percent was for civil personnel on the remaining six consolidated salary structures, according to a statement released by the NSIWC and signed by its Head of Press, Emmanuel Njoku.

It outlined the structures to include the “Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure, Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure Consolidated Police Salary Structure, Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure, Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure, and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure.”

Remember that the raises for people working in the tertiary education and health sectors previously applied to the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure and the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure for Universities.

It included the Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure and the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure for polytechnics and colleges of education.

The Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and Consolidated Health industry Salary Structure were beneficial to the health industry as well.

Njoku stated that as of January 1, 2024, the most recent hikes were already in place.

“In line with the provisions of Section 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Federal Government has also approved increases in pension of between 20 per cent and 28 per cent for pensioners on the Defined Benefits Scheme in respect of the above-mentioned six consolidated salary structures with effect from January 1, 2024,” the NSIWC stated.

Nigerian civil servant had been pushing for pay increases prior to 2024. Although a 40 percent hike was discussed during negotiations, a deal was struck for a range of increases between 25 and 35 percent to take effect in January 2024.

Federal civil officers covered by several consolidated salary schemes are subject to this increment.

Additionally, labor unions in Nigeria have been advocating for a major raise in the minimum wage for all employees nationwide.

The Trade Union Congress offered values varying from N447,000 to N850,000 depending on the location, while the Nigeria Labour Congress had initially suggested N615,000 per month.

The unions contend that the high cost of living and growing inflation make the present minimum wage, which expires in April 2024, insufficient.

The unions have lowered their demands in the current discussions. Currently, NLC is seeking about N500,000 and is taking state chapter ideas into consideration.

Recent occurrences like the increase in electricity rates have an impact on negotiations, leading unions to push for a larger raise. The deadline for a definitive judgment is May 1, 2024 (May Day).