departments and agencies (MDAs) report unexplained salary reductions, unpaid allowances and unpaid arrears without official explanation from the Federal Government, labour sources said.
The Federal Civil Service comprises the country’s core public service workforce, providing administrative support and policy implementation across government MDAs.
Workers have reported financial strain amid a series of payroll challenges that span several months.
Labour sources told Vanguard that many federal workers have experienced reductions in their take‑home pay without clear official explanations or pay slips since September 2025.
Affected workers include staff in several MDAs such as the Federal Ministries of Information; Labour and Employment; Agriculture; Education; and agencies including the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Television Authority.
Workers said the non‑issuance of pay slips has left them unable to track deductions or understand why their salaries have declined steadily.
Sources also said the government has not paid three months of wage award arrears that workers believe are due despite previous assurances.
Promotion arrears are owed to many employees, with staff promoted in 2023 receiving only partial payments in 2024 and those promoted in 2024 and 2025 not paid any promotion gaps, according to those affected.
Employees reported non‑payment of statutory allowances, including a 20 per cent weighing‑in allowance that has not appeared on payroll since August 2024 and a 40 per cent peculiar allowance last paid in July 2024.
Labour sources described growing anxiety and frustration among workers and warned that continued silence from authorities could lead to unrest or protests.
The Vanguard report said efforts to obtain comment from the Federal Government, including from the Head of Service of the Federation, were unsuccessful, with calls and messages remaining unanswered for over a week.
The reported payroll issues affect take‑home pay and benefits for federal workers across multiple MDAs and may impact morale within the civil service.
Delays in wage award, promotion arrears and allowance payments contribute to financial strain for employees already navigating rising living costs. Labour sources say unresolved payroll concerns could trigger industrial unrest if not addressed by authorities.
