Federal Workers Forum calls for payment of outstanding entitlements, improved correctional officers’ welfare and urgent reforms to Nigeria’s correctional centres

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has called on the Federal Government to clear outstanding workers’ entitlements, review public sector salaries and adopt a ₦300,000 national minimum wage, arguing that existing wages are no longer sufficient to meet the country’s rising cost of living.

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The appeal was made on Monday by the National Coordinator of the forum, Andrew Emelieze, in a statement that also urged the government to improve the welfare of correctional officers and undertake sweeping reforms of Nigeria’s correctional centres.

Emelieze asked the Federal Government to settle the outstanding two-month wage award owed to federal workers since June 2024, pay the arrears of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and complete the implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, including all outstanding arrears.

“We remind the Federal Government of its outstanding obligations to federal workers, including the two-month wage award, peculiar allowance arrears, and the full implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage,” he said.

The labour advocate also urged President Bola Tinubu to undertake an immediate review of public sector salaries, maintaining that inflation and prevailing economic conditions had significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power.

“We reiterate our recommendation for a minimum wage of ₦300,000 and a maximum wage of ₦1.5 million for officers on Grade Level 17. We await an immediate response from Mr. President,” Emelieze said.

Beyond salary concerns, the FWF raised allegations about the welfare of personnel in the Nigerian Correctional Service, claiming that many officers were required to purchase official uniforms, boots, belts, rank badges and other work materials using personal funds.

Emelieze also alleged that officers sitting promotion examinations contributed money towards the welfare of examiners, claiming similar practices occurred within the Federal Fire Service.

“We call for an independent investigation into allegations of extortion during promotion exercises and demand better welfare for correctional officers and other paramilitary personnel,” he said.

The forum further expressed concern over conditions in correctional centres across the country, describing them as overcrowded and poorly equipped to fulfil their rehabilitation mandate.

According to Emelieze, overcrowding, inadequate feeding, disease outbreaks and the prolonged detention of awaiting-trial inmates pose significant health and security risks to inmates, correctional personnel and neighbouring communities.

“Our correctional centres have become places of torment instead of rehabilitation. No Nigerian should be subjected to such degrading and inhumane conditions,” he said.

The FWF urged the government to decongest correctional facilities by granting a general amnesty and exercising the prerogative of mercy for inmates who have remained in custody awaiting trial for more than five years.

It also called for accelerated judicial processes, recommending that no awaiting-trial inmate should remain in detention for longer than one year without the conclusion of legal proceedings.

“A prison sentence should not become a death sentence. The justice system must prioritise rehabilitation, speedy trials, and respect for human dignity,” Emelieze added.

The FWF ₦300,000 Minimum Wage proposal comes as organised labour and public sector workers continue to push for stronger wage protection following the implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage.

While the Federal Government has maintained that it is committed to improving workers’ welfare, labour groups have repeatedly argued that delayed payments, inflation and the rising cost of living have reduced the real value of workers’ earnings.

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As of Monday, the Federal Government had not publicly responded to the latest demands by the Federal Workers Forum.