The Federal Government has revealed its intention to begin disbursing the outstanding five months’ wage award arrears, amounting to N35,000, to workers immediately after the April 2025 salary payments. The arrears will be paid in monthly instalments until fully settled.

This information was shared in a statement on Monday by Mr. Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), and reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Mokwa clarified that while the Federal Government had previously paid five months of the wage award in instalments, an additional five months remained unpaid. He confirmed that the outstanding arrears would now be addressed through equal monthly payments of N35,000.

He stated that the first payment will be made right after the distribution of April 2025 salaries, with additional payments following each month until the total arrears are cleared.

“The Federal Government is set to pay the outstanding five months’ N35,000 wage award arrears to workers,” he noted.

According to the report from NAN, Mokwa emphasized that the arrears would be paid in monthly instalments of N35,000 over a five-month period, with the initial payment occurring post-April 2025 salary disbursement.

This wage award is part of the Federal Government’s initiative to mitigate the effects of economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and other fiscal adjustments.

Mokwa reiterated the government’s dedication to fulfilling all agreements related to employee compensation and welfare, describing these actions as essential for enhancing productivity and efficiency within the public sector.

### Key Information

In 2023, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) proposed a wage award to support federal workers amid the challenges posed by fuel subsidy removal. In response, the Federal Government introduced a N35,000 wage award in September 2023 as a temporary relief measure for employees on lower salary scales, addressing the economic pressures from subsidy removal and currency reforms.

While partial payments were made between late 2023 and early 2024, delays in later months raised concerns among labor unions. In 2024, after further negotiations, the Federal Government approved an increase in the national minimum wage to N70,000, as part of broader strategies to tackle rising living costs.

The recent announcement regarding the resumption of outstanding wage award payments is expected to honor the Federal Government’s previous commitments.

A group of lawyers under the banner of the Guardian of Democracy and Rule of Law staged a massive protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Monday, demanding a judicial inquiry into the tenure of Mele Kolo Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

The protesters, led by Barrister Benjamin Theophilus, submitted a petition alleging widespread corruption, tax evasion, abuse of office, and misappropriation of public funds during Kyari’s leadership.

The petition highlighted several contentious issues, including inflated costs of refinery rehabilitation contracts, fraudulent crude oil allocations, mismanagement of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project, fuel subsidy fraud, and questionable crude-backed loans.

According to the petition, NNPCL under Kyari spent over $4 billion on rehabilitating the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, far exceeding an initial private-sector proposal of $1 billion for all three facilities.

“Kyari is alleged to have collaborated with consultants and contractors to conceal the actual cost of contracts and evade taxes,” the petition stated, noting that the refineries remain inefficient despite the expenditure.

The lawyers also accused Kyari of overseeing the diversion of crude oil allocations under the pretext of “pipeline security” at a rate of 80,000 barrels per day, with no transparent accountability mechanisms.

The $5 billion AKK Gas Pipeline Project was similarly flagged for irregularities in contract awards and execution, with little progress despite significant funding.

Further allegations include fuel subsidy fraud, with NNPCL reportedly increasing petroleum imports in 2020 during a global decline in fuel consumption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The petition also criticised crude-backed loans totalling $21.565 billion since 2019, which it claimed disadvantaged Nigeria by ceding trading profits to international traders.

The protesters called for a judicial commission to investigate Kyari’s tenure, probe payments to refinery contractors, and examine past audit failures.

They also urged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to investigate suspected tax evasion and fraudulent declarations, while advocating for the recovery of any misappropriated public funds.

The Federal Ministry of Finance has yet to respond to the petition, and NNPCL officials were unavailable for comment at the time of reporting.

The blue economy presents a huge opportunity for Nigeria’s economic transformation, especially in the area of marine tourism, Minister of Art Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa has said.

Musawa noted that sustainable tourism development within our coastal areas can drive investment, create jobs, and showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage, positioning Nigeria as a leading destination for eco-tourism in Africa and beyond.

She made the disclosure while delivering her keynote address at the seminar on the Development of National Blue Economy and Coastal Biodiversity in Tourism.

The gathering brought together stakeholders, experts, and policymakers to deliberate on how best to harness the potential of our coastal and marine resources while ensuring their sustainability for future generations.

The minister who was represented by Mr Sunday Mkpejie Bisong, Assistant Director Overseeing Domestic Tourism Promotion Department, explained that Nigeria, as a nation, is blessed with an extensive coastline, rich marine biodiversity, and vibrant coastal communities.

She said: “Nigeria, as a nation blessed with an extensive coastline, rich marine biodiversity, and vibrant coastal communities, stands to benefit significantly from a well-structured blue economy.

“As we seek to diversify our economy beyond oil and gas, the blue economy presents enormous opportunities for economic transformation, particularly in sectors such as marine tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transportation, and renewable energy. Sustainable tourism development within our coastal areas can drive investment, create jobs, and showcase our rich cultural heritage, positioning Nigeria as a leading destination for eco-tourism in Africa and beyond.

“Our coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, and beaches, serve as vital habitats for marine species and are essential for the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians. Preserving this biodiversity is not just an environmental necessity; it is also an economic imperative. A thriving marine environment enhances the tourism experience, attracting both local and international visitors who seek pristine beaches, water-based recreational activities, and cultural interactions with indigenous coastal communities.”

While lamenting the impact of degradation of the ecosystem on the blue economy, the Minister stressed that the country stands to benefit significantly from a well-structured blue economy.

Musawa explained that the sure way forward is for adoption of a holistic approach to conservation and sustainable tourism development, integrating policies that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.

She said: “The degradation of these ecosystems due to pollution, climate change, and unsustainable fishing practices poses a serious threat to their economic and ecological value.

“It is therefore imperative that we adopt a holistic approach to conservation and sustainable tourism development, integrating policies that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.”

The Minister also gave the assurance that the ministry in collaboration with other relevant ministries and agencies, “is committed to harnessing the full potential of the blue economy while safeguarding our coastal biodiversity. “

She also noted that now is the time to act, saying “Distinguished guests, the blue economy and coastal biodiversity are not just policy concepts but lifelines for sustainable economic growth, environmental preservation, and tourism development.

“The time to act is now. We must work collectively—government, private sector, academia, and civil society—to unlock the potential of our marine resources in a way that benefits our economy while protecting the environment for future generations.

“Let this seminar serve as a platform for meaningful discussions, innovative solutions, and collaborative partnerships that will drive Nigeria’s blue economy forward. I encourage all stakeholders to take actionable steps towards implementing sustainable tourism practices that respect and preserve our coastal biodiversity.”

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary Mrs. Akudo-Nwosu said the seminar represented a collective effort towards unlocking the country’s coastal and marine resources.

The Permanent Secretary who was represented by Mr. Tony Ukpoju, Assistant Director, said “Today’s gathering marks a significant step in our collective efforts to unlock the immense potentials of Nigeria’s coastal and marine resources, while ensuring the sustainability of our rich biodiversity. The Blue Economy represents a frontier of economic opportunity—encompassing tourism, fisheries, marine transport, and renewable energy—offering avenues for inclusive growth, job creation, and environmental conservation.

“As a nation endowed with an extensive coastline and vibrant coastal communities, it is imperative that we strategically position tourism as a key driver in the Blue Economy framework. Our coastal biodiversity is not only a natural treasure but also a catalyst for cultural expression, eco-tourism, and heritage preservation.”