The Federal Government has finalized plans to commence payment of the newly adjusted minimum wage across all levels, following the conclusion of work by the Committee on Consequential Adjustment in Salaries Arising from the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024.
This significant move clears the path for immediate payment of the revised wages, which had been delayed due to the prolonged process of adjusting salary structures across federal ministries and agencies.
According to reports, the salary adjustments will impact various grade levels under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS). Workers on grade levels CONPSS 01-06 will see an increase of 80.81% to 64.73%, while those on grade levels CONPSS 07-14 will receive an increase ranging from 45.59% to 19.35%. Higher-grade officers on CONPSS 15-17 will see a more modest adjustment of 14.35% to 4.41%.
The new salary structure is designed to ease the financial pressures facing public servants, particularly in light of recent economic challenges and the increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). In addition, the Committee recommended that the National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission (NSIWC) develop salary templates for other consolidated salary structures across the federal workforce to ensure consistent wage reviews.
The implementation of these new wage adjustments will take effect retroactively from July 29, 2024. Meanwhile, the wage award issued under NSIWC Circular SWC.94T33, dated October 19, 2023, will remain in effect until July 28, 2024, ensuring continued financial support during the transition.
The Committee, chaired by Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), also urged the government to introduce tax waivers and other financial incentives to alleviate the burden on workers due to the rising cost of living.
The NSIWC, in collaboration with other stakeholders, is expected to monitor the implementation of the new salary structure in line with the provisions of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2024, which sets the minimum wage at N70,000 per month.
The Committee’s recommendations aim to balance the welfare of public servants with the government’s fiscal capacity, ensuring that the new salary adjustments are both fair and sustainable.
