The Federal Government has approved an increase in allowances and welfare benefits for civil servants, to boost take-home pay across the Nigerian public service.
The announcement was made by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, during a press briefing in Abuja.
The decision, endorsed by the Federal Executive Council, forms part of broader reforms targeting improved welfare and productivity in the public sector.
What the government is saying
According to Walson-Jack, the review covers workers under both the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), ensuring a wide-reaching impact.
She stated that peculiar allowances have been restructured across all grade levels, resulting in meaningful increases in earnings for both junior and senior civil servants.
The government also approved upward reviews of key allowances, including duty tour allowance (DTA), estacode, and book allowance, noting that most allowances under the Public Service Rules have now been revised.
A major highlight is the approval of 100% Duty Tour Allowance for civil servants attending approved training programmes, regardless of whether travel is involved.
- “Even if you are based in Abuja and attend training within Abuja, you are entitled to full DTA,” she said.
More insights
Beyond salary adjustments, the government approved a new exit benefit scheme for retiring civil servants under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
- Walson-Jack said the reform is designed to ensure dignity in retirement and provide adequate financial support for public servants after service.
- The government also confirmed the operationalisation of the Employee Compensation Scheme, which offers financial protection for workers in cases of job-related injury or death.
What you should know
The reforms come amid increasing pressure from labour unions for improved welfare, as the rising cost of living continues to strain workers’ income. The federal government has made recent efforts to improve civil servants’ welfare.
In March 2026, the Federal Executive Council approved a 100% gratuity (exit benefit) for retiring civil servants.
The move follows an earlier salary increase of between 25% and 35% approved late last year for civil servants across multiple salary structures, including CONPSS and CONRAISS.
At the subnational level, states are also introducing support measures. In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde recently approved a N10,000 monthly transportation support allowance for civil servants to cushion the impact of rising transport costs.
At the subnational level, similar welfare interventions are emerging. For instance, the Ogun State and Oyo State governments recently approved a N10,000 monthly transport allowance for workers as part of measures to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of living.
Approval is something, implementation is another thing.