Nigeria boosts employee salaries: unprecedented increases in allowances and benefits.

Boubacar Sani – Our correspondent from Nigeria

The Nigerian federal government has announced a sweeping reform package aimed at improving the living conditions of civil servants, through a significant increase in allowances and enhanced welfare benefits, in a move described as one of the largest in the history of the country's public sector.

The announcement was made by the head of the federal civil service, Dede Walson-Jack, during a press conference held in the capital, Abuja, where she revealed details of the decisions approved by the Federal Executive Council, stressing that the reforms would directly affect employee salaries and job satisfaction.

She explained that the increases include employees within the CONPSS and CONRAISS salary structures, ensuring that different job categories, from the lowest to the highest grades, benefit.

The review also included key allowances such as the DTA allowance, overseas travel allowance, and book allowance, along with a near-complete update of all allowances stipulated in the Civil Service Regulations.

A package of important decisions

Among the most notable aspects of the package is the approval of a mission allowance of 100% for employees participating in accredited training programs, even if they are held within the same city, which is a remarkable shift in incentive policies.

Launch of a new end-of-service benefits system

In a related context, the government revealed the launch of a new end-of-service benefits system, which grants retiring employees 100% of their total annual salaries as compensation upon retirement, in addition to their retirement benefits, starting from January 2026, in a step aimed at ensuring a decent life after the end of service.

The employee compensation system, which provides financial protection in cases of injury or death during work, has also been activated as part of strengthening the social safety net for public sector workers.

These measures come amid escalating demands from labor unions for better wages, coinciding with rising living costs.

Observers believe that these decisions may contribute to raising employee morale, improving productivity levels, and enhancing stability within state institutions.