The Federal Government has commenced payment of the second tranche of the N35,000 wage award arrears to federal workers, cutting the outstanding balance to three months.
In a statement on Friday, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) said the payment is part of the five-month wage award agreed with organised labour to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal and other economic reforms.
Bawa Mokwa, OAGF’s Director of Press and Public Relations, said one month’s arrears had been paid earlier, while the latest disbursement covers another month.
The N35,000 monthly award was introduced as a temporary palliative pending the conclusion of a new minimum wage deal.
Dismissing speculation that the government had abandoned the arrangement, the OAGF said payments are being made in phases until all arrears are cleared.
“The Federal Government has not reneged on its obligation. The arrears will continue to be paid in instalments of N35,000 per month until fully settled,” the statement read.
The move comes amid heightened demands from labour unions for wage increases to match rising inflation and living costs. Broader talks on salary adjustments and public sector welfare are ongoing.
