The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has declared a nationwide protest to begin on Monday, May 26, 2025, in Abuja and across federal secretariats nationwide, expressing deep frustration over what it calls “neglect and repression” by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The group, which represents a broad coalition of federal civil servants, accused the federal government of failing to fulfil multiple wage-related commitments, most notably the N35,000 wage award promised as a palliative for the removal of petrol subsidies. According to the forum, five months of this wage award — covering March to May 2024 — remain unpaid, despite repeated assurances from top government officials.
In a statement signed by FWF National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze; National Secretary, Comrade Itoro Obong; and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Razaq Yakubu Oseni, the group expressed outrage at what it described as a systematic failure of governance and unfair treatment of federal employees.
The statement reads: “Our government is not treating federal government workers well. We are very disappointed in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This regime is becoming increasingly repressive and suppressive. Is it a crime to be a federal worker? Why all this torture?”
The forum noted that both the Accountant General and the Minister of Finance had pledged to ensure the arrears were paid promptly — one promising disbursement immediately after the April salary and the other within 48 hours — but those commitments have not materialized.
“We have been more than patient, but our government is treating us as if we do not matter. The balance of the outstanding wage award has become a tug of war. We are citizens, not slaves,” the statement continued.
The FWF issued a stern warning that if the payments are not made by Wednesday, May 28, 2025, protests will spread to all federal secretariats nationwide and continue indefinitely until all arrears are cleared. The forum instructed all federal workers in Abuja to converge at the Federal Ministry of Finance on May 26 and resume daily presence there as a form of protest.
The forum stressed that only essential duty staff are exempt from participating in the protest and warned that any act of sabotage or misrepresentation will be met with consequences. “No actions or statements shall be made on behalf of federal workers without due consultation with them,” the group said.
FWF’s protest plans come at a time of heightened economic tension across Nigeria. The removal of fuel subsidies in 2023 triggered widespread inflation, pushing the cost of living beyond the reach of many public servants. While the government introduced wage awards to cushion the blow, inconsistent payment has undermined trust and sparked repeated industrial unrest.
The FWF, which had previously issued warnings and appeals to the federal government, said it is now left with no choice but to take mass action to force attention to their plight. “We hope and pray the government listens to us, as we cannot continue to endure this act of disloyalty toward federal workers,” the group concluded.
As of now, no official response has been issued by the presidency, the Ministry of Finance, or the Office of the Accountant General regarding the workers’ demands or the looming nationwide protest.
