By Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has announced an indefinite nationwide protest starting Monday, May 26, accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of neglecting and suppressing federal civil servants.
In a statement issued on Saturday, May 24, signed by National Coordinator Comrade Andrew Emelieze, National Secretary Comrade Itoro Obong, and Publicity Secretary Comrade Razaq Yakubu Oseni, the FWF condemned the government’s failure to pay five months of the N35,000 wage award promised since March 2024 to mitigate the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
“We are really very disappointed in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This regime is becoming more and more repressive and suppressive,” Emelieze said, adding that workers are treated as “slaves” rather than citizens.
Despite assurances from the Accountant General and Minister of Finance for payments post-April salary and within 48 hours, respectively, no funds have been disbursed.
The FWF demands immediate payment of the outstanding wage awards, full implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage by June 2025, and clearance of arrears, including the 40% peculiar allowance since August 2024.
The Forum called on Abuja-based federal workers to converge at the Federal Ministry of Finance on Monday, vowing to occupy it until payments are made. “We will not entertain any promises again,” Obong stated, warning that protests will escalate to all federal secretariats by Wednesday, May 28, 2025, if demands are unmet.
“We are compelled to take this action as all other means have yielded no fruits,” Obong added, urging compliance from all workers except those on essential duties. The FWF emphasised that sabotage of the protest would be met with consequences.