Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Federal civil servants are urging the Federal Government to promptly clear three months of arrears from the N35,000 wage award due to the rising cost of living. This wage award, negotiated in 2023 as a temporary relief amidst economic reforms, has faced delays despite partial payments. Workers express frustration over the slow disbursement, fearing government insincerity. Calls for immediate action have been made by representatives from the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, emphasizing the need for timely payments to alleviate financial difficulties and maintain trust in government commitments. The government has committed to continuing payments but indicated that they will be made in tranches based on fund availability. Civil servants stress that completing the wage payments is vital for their morale and financial stability.

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has announced the commencement of an accreditation exercise for the selection of five new federal permanent secretaries.The exercise, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Press at the OHCSF, Eno Olotu, followed the approval of President Bola Tinubu.The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, described the accreditation as the foundational step in a critical national assignment that will determine the future quality, integrity and capacity of the leadership of the Federal Civil Service,” the statement read.In his remarks, the Chairman of the Accreditation Committee and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Olumuyiwa Abel Enitan, reiterated the Head of Service’s directive, stressing the collective responsibility of committee members to safeguard the integrity of the Civil Service.The eligibility criteria for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries are outlined in the Public Service Rules (PSR) 2021.

The Federal Government has proposed a 40% salary increase for lecturers in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as the union prepares for negotiations with a government delegation led by Yayale Ahmed. This decision follows a consensus reached during a National Executive Council meeting in Abuja. Branch leaders will inform members about the ongoing negotiations, which will resume next week. ASUU's ultimatum to the government recently expired, raising concerns of a strike due to unresolved issues, including unpaid salaries and the university revitalization fund. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, asserts that the government has addressed ASUU's demands and is working to prevent strikes, while the Nigeria Labour Congress supports ASUU in advocating for its rights if negotiations falter.

Striking health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions have insisted that only the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure will end their ongoing industrial action, as efforts by the Federal Government to resolve the dispute remain stalled.JOHESU, which represents health professionals in pharmacies, laboratories and other support departments, has maintained that the action will continue until the Federal Government implements the report of the Technical Committee on the adjustment of CONHESS, submitted since 2021.The protracted strike has also triggered a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress in solidarity with the health workers.In a joint statement by the Secretary-General of the TUC, Nuhu Toro, and the acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, the labour centres accused the Federal Government of deliberately refusing to implement the salary adjustment despite repeated engagements. Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control show that more than 90 cases and 17 deaths were recorded nationwide in the first three weeks of 2026 alone, raising concerns about the impact of the prolonged shutdown of key services in public hospitals.