Civil servants in over 12 Nigerian ministries face unpaid October salaries due to budget shortfalls linked to the new N70,000 minimum wage. The Office of the Accountant-General is working to secure funds to cover the outstanding payments while addressing payment delays caused by bank system malfunctions.
According to Leadership newspaper, several civil servants in over 12 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of Nigeria’s federal government have found themselves stranded as their October salaries remain unpaid. The delay, attributed to budget shortfalls exacerbated by the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage, has left many employees struggling to cover daily expenses. Some have resorted to borrowing money for transportation and basic needs. Reports indicate that certain MDAs, including judiciary workers, received partial payments on November 4, but with 25% deductions due to earlier wage award adjustments.
The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) explained that the issue arose because the new wage scale was not included in the 2024 national budget, leading to a shortage in personnel funds. Director of Information, Bawa Mokwa, assured that efforts were underway to source additional funds to settle the pending salaries. However, no specific timeline has been provided for when the workers will receive full payment.
In addition to the delayed payments, some government workers are facing difficulties with their bank accounts due to electronic transfer system malfunctions, further complicating the payment process. The OAGF clarified that while workers are free to change their salary accounts if necessary, no official directive has been issued to force changes. The Office also urged financial institutions to ensure efficient payment services to avoid further delays in salary disbursement.
