The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has demanded an immediate upward review of the national minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦300,000, insisting that its planned nationwide protest against hardship and insecurity will proceed as scheduled.

The group said the recent acknowledgement by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, that federal workers are poorly remunerated had vindicated its long-standing position that Nigerian workers were underpaid and subjected to economic hardship.

In a statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator of the Forum, Andrew Emelieze, and the General Secretary, Ayo Ogundele, and made available to The Guardian on Sunday, the workers’ body urged the Federal Government to translate its admission into concrete action capable of improving workers’ welfare.

According to the Forum, the government’s recognition of workers’ plight without an immediate wage review amounts to insensitivity and political rhetoric.

“Our outcry has been justified. The Federal Government has openly agreed with our position that federal workers are poorly paid, exploited and dehumanised. The recent statement by the Chief of Staff says it all.

“However, what is surprising is the government’s continued insensitivity to the suffering of federal workers despite repeated calls by the Federal Workers Forum,” the statement read.

The group also criticised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), accusing the labour centres of failing to exert sufficient pressure on the government to secure a living wage for workers.

“It is not enough to admit guilt and go to sleep. The question is: what exactly is the government doing immediately to ensure justice for federal workers and pensioners?” it asked.

The Forum alleged that the Federal Government had yet to fully implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage and was still owing workers several entitlements, including outstanding wage award balances dating back to June 2024, promotion arrears, the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and other benefits.

It claimed that the government merely added ₦40,000 to workers’ salaries under the new wage structure, describing the development as inadequate in the face of prevailing economic realities.

The Forum therefore demanded an immediate review of workers’ salaries, proposing a minimum wage of ₦300,000 and a maximum salary of ₦1.5 million for directors on Grade Level 17.

It also urged the Federal Government to backdate the wage review by at least one year to compensate workers for what it described as prolonged injustice.

The workers’ body maintained that it would proceed with its planned nationwide protest on Monday, June 29, urging federal workers across the country to wear black attire and assemble peacefully at federal secretariats to demonstrate against insecurity and economic hardship.

“We are going ahead with our planned national protest against insecurity and hardship. Federal workers are tired of false hope. We are not slaves; we are citizens, and we demand justice. Federal workers will definitely protest. There is no going back,” the Forum declared.