The arrears will be disbursed in five monthly installments of N35,000 each, beginning after the payment of the April 2025 salary, according to the statement.

The Nigerian government has announced that it will begin the payment of outstanding N35,000 wage award arrears, owed to federal government workers, following months of anticipation among employees.

In a statement released on Monday, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) confirmed that arrangements had been finalised to clear the backlog, which covers five months of unpaid wage awards.

The arrears will be disbursed in five monthly installments of N35,000 each, beginning after the payment of the April 2025 salary, according to the statement.

The OAGF explained that the Nigerian government had earlier paid the wage award for initial five months in installments but had been unable to sustain regular payments due to fiscal constraints.

According to the OAGF, this new arrangement demonstrates the government’s commitment to honouring agreements concerning staff remuneration and welfare to enhance productivity and efficiency in public service delivery.

The N35,000 wage award was introduced in 2023 as a temporary measure to cushion the economic impact of the removal of fuel subsidies, which led to a sharp rise in the cost of living across Nigeria.

Following negotiations with organised labour unions, the government agreed to the wage award pending the conclusion of a broader review of the national minimum wage.

However, delays in fulfilling the payments had fueled dissatisfaction among public sector workers and labour unions, culminating in threats of industrial action.

The planned payment of the arrears is expected to ease tensions and foster a more stable working environment as broader wage negotiations continue.

The government reiterated its appeal for patience and cooperation from workers as it works to implement sustainable economic reforms aimed at stabilising the nation’s finances and improving citizens’ living standards.