ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Workers Forum (FWF), a nationwide coalition of federal civil servants, has issued a strongly worded ultimatum to the Federal Government, accusing it of “repression, suppression, and betrayal” of public sector workers while demanding the immediate payment of outstanding financial entitlements.
In a statement on Friday, May 23, 2025 the forum, led by its National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze, condemned the administration of President Bola Tinubu for what it described as “trampling on workers’ rights” and treating government employees “like slaves.”
“Our government is not treating we the Federal Government workers well,” said Emelieze. “We are really very disappointed in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This regime is becoming more and more repressive and suppressive.”
At the centre of the workers’ grievances is the government’s failure to pay five months of a ₦35,000 wage award promised as a palliative measure following the removal of fuel subsidies.
The payments, which were meant to begin in March 2024, have reportedly not been made despite assurances from top government officials.
“The Accountant General had promised to pay immediately after April salary.
The Minister of Finance also promised to pay up in 48 hours, yet the workers have not seen a kobo of the outstanding wage award,” Emelieze added.
In response, the FWF has announced a coordinated protest action beginning Monday, May 26, 2025, with a directive to all federal workers in Abuja to resume work at the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The forum vowed to occupy the premises until the backlog is cleared.
“We will not entertain any promises again,” the group stated.
Additional demands include:
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Immediate payment of all outstanding five-month wage awards
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Full implementation of the new national minimum wage by the June 2025 salary cycle
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Settlement of the balance of a 40 percent peculiar allowance, pending since August 2024
FWF National Secretary, Comrade Itoro Obong, stressed the urgency of the action, saying the forum had exhausted all peaceful avenues.
“We are compelled to take this action as all other means have yielded no fruits. We hope and pray government listens to us as we cannot continue with this act of disloyalty to the federal workers,” he said.
The group has threatened to escalate protests to all federal secretariats nationwide if no response is received by Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
“All federal workers are to fully comply except those on essential duties. It will not be well with anyone who tries to sabotage or betray the struggle,” the forum warned.
The statement was jointly signed by Emelieze, Obong, and Comrade Razaq Yakubu Oseni, the forum’s Publicity Secretary.
As of press time, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General have not issued a response to the threats or addressed the payment delay.
