Senior civil servants demand ₦300,000 minimum wage and state police

Nigeria's senior civil servants have called for a new national minimum wage of ₦300,000.
The demands
At a National Executive Council meeting of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) in Abuja, reported on Thursday, 12 November 2026, union president Shehu Mohammed said the current ₦70,000 minimum wage had steadily lost value amid economic pressures and could no longer meet workers' basic needs. The union also demanded prompt payment of outstanding gratuities and the creation of state police, saying insecurity continues to put workers and their families at risk.
Collaboration call
Senior lawyer Femi Falana addressed delegates under the theme 'From Confrontation to Collaboration', arguing that lasting progress between labour and government depends on how the authorities treat workers.
Background
The ₦70,000 minimum wage was signed into law in 2024 after months of negotiations and strike threats by organised labour. The federal government had not responded to the new demand at the time of writing.
- The union wants ₦300,000, up from ₦70,000.
- It also wants gratuities paid promptly.
- It backs the creation of state police.
