The Federal Government has called for a balance between workers’ demands for higher salaries and its financial capacity, amid mounting labour tensions as the Nigeria Labour Congress’ two-week ultimatum to reduce petrol prices and begin fresh negotiations on the national minimum wage approaches its deadline.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, made the call on Monday at the board retreat of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission in Abuja.
Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Abubakar Kana, said wage decisions must reflect prevailing economic conditions while protecting workers’ welfare.
He said, “The commission must continually balance the legitimate expectations of workers with the fiscal realities of government and broader imperatives of national economic development.”
Akume said the approaching 2027 general elections, ongoing economic reforms and rising public expectations had made sustainable wage administration increasingly important.
He identified three priorities for the commission, including evidence-based wage policies, institutional modernisation and effective implementation of recommendations.
According to him, salary decisions must be informed by reliable economic data and consultations with organised labour, employers and other stakeholders.
He urged the commission to strengthen its research capabilities, embrace digital technology and establish measurable performance targets.
The SGF also warned against avoidable industrial disputes, stressing that constructive engagement was necessary to maintain stability.
He said, “A credible and inclusive approach towards governance is indispensable to building trust, preventing avoidable industrial disputes like we’re about to have now, and promoting a stable environment for national development.”
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, maintained that his earlier ultimatum to the government remained in force, although he declined to negotiate the matter during the retreat.
According to him, the government should introduce measures to address workers’ hardship before industrial action becomes necessary.
Earlier, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Junaidu Bindawa, said inflation, changing labour expectations and pressure on public finances required a more sustainable approach to wage administration.
He explained that salary policies affected government expenditure, productivity, industrial relations and public service performance.
“Our work must reflect a careful balance between the legitimate expectation of workers, the imperatives of productivity and social justice, and the physical capacity of government,” he said.
Bindawa called for stronger research, reliable data, improved compensation management and closer collaboration between the commission’s board and management.
He said the three-day retreat should produce an implementable roadmap with clear priorities and measurable outcomes rather than recommendations that would remain unimplemented.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the commission, Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, said Nigeria needed to move away from reactive salary reviews towards a permanent, evidence-based wage governance system.
She recalled earlier wage review commissions, including the Morgan Commission of 1964, Adebo Commission of 1971 and Udoji Commission of 1974, before the establishment of the NSIWC in 1993.
“We exist so that wage decisions rest on evidence, not emergencies,” she said.
Okoya-Thomas noted that the 2024 minimum wage more than doubled the previous statutory minimum and underscored the need to reconcile workers’ welfare with economic sustainability.
She said the retreat would examine fair pay, reliable data, social dialogue, institutional capacity and accountability, with an action plan aligned with Nigeria Agenda 2050 and the Medium-Term National Development Plan for 2027–2030.
In his goodwill message, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Abel Enitan, said civil service reforms were essential to achieving the government’s $1tn economy target by 2030.
The Head of Service identified workforce development, improved welfare and the digitisation of government operations as priorities, including plans to establish a fully paperless working environment.
He said the civil service must become efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred to support economic growth and improve public service delivery.
The retreat brought together government officials, labour representatives and other stakeholders to consider reforms to Nigeria’s public sector wage administration.