csrreporters 
The Federal Government has disbursed the second tranche of the N35,000 wage award arrears to federal workers, according to a statement released by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).
This payment follows the earlier release of one month’s tranche from the initial five months of outstanding arrears, leaving three months yet to be settled.
Bawa Mokwa, Director of Information at the OAGF, confirmed the update, assuring that the government remains committed to fully honouring the wage award through phased payments.
“The Federal Government has not reneged on its promise. The arrears will continue to be paid in monthly instalments of ₦35,000 until all outstanding payments are cleared,” Mokwa stated.
The wage award was introduced in October 2023 as part of a series of palliative measures to cushion the economic impact of the fuel subsidy removal and other reforms under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The allowance was agreed upon following negotiations with organised labour, aimed at easing the burden of rising inflation and cost of living.
Although the wage award was designed to run for six months, the implementation faced delays due to funding constraints and verification challenges within the public sector payroll system. The first tranche was eventually paid earlier in 2025 after mounting pressure from labour unions and civil society groups.
While the phased payments continue, labour leaders from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have expressed concerns that temporary reliefs do not sufficiently address deeper wage-related issues. Both unions have called for the prompt clearance of the arrears and the conclusion of negotiations on a new national minimum wage.
Despite these calls, the government maintains that its current approach reflects prevailing fiscal realities and available budgetary provisions. The OAGF reaffirmed that transparency and consistency will guide the disbursement process going forward.
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