In a move aimed at alleviating the economic burdens faced by civil servants and pensioners, the Federal Government has given the green light to a substantial salary increase ranging between 25% and 35% for those under six Consolidated Salary Structures.
This decision, which also includes a pay rise for pensioners covered by the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS), marks a significant step towards addressing the financial challenges experienced by workers and retirees across various sectors.
The salary structures set to benefit from this increase are the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS), and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).
This move is expected to positively impact the livelihoods of millions of civil servants operating within these frameworks.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of its workforce, Emmanuel Njoku, the Head of Press at the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), highlighted that the salary adjustments had been long-awaited and were implemented retroactively from January 1, 2024.
This decision comes as a relief to many workers who have faced financial strains exacerbated by the economic challenges of the past year.
It is important to note that this salary increase complements previous adjustments that have already been extended to specific sectors.
Notably, the tertiary education and health sectors had previously received salary increments under different structures.
For instance, the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS) benefited university staff, while staff in polytechnics and colleges of education saw improvements through the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS).
Moreover, the health sector experienced enhancements through the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure (CONHESS), further indicating the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable remuneration across various professional domains.
Labour leaders have welcomed this decision, acknowledging the challenges faced by workers and pensioners amidst the economic uncertainties of recent times.
The past year has indeed been a period of hardship and adversity for many, and this salary increase offers a ray of hope for those grappling with financial pressures.
In light of these developments, stakeholders are encouraged to leverage this momentum to drive further reforms aimed at enhancing the welfare and prosperity of the Nigerian workforce.
As the nation strives towards economic recovery and sustainable development, prioritizing the well-being of its citizens remains paramount.
With the approval of this significant salary increase, the Federal Government demonstrates its responsiveness to the needs of its workforce and pensioners, signaling a renewed commitment to fostering economic stability and social prosperity for all.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
