Christmas: Nigerian Government Confirms Payment of December Salaries to Workers
The Nigerian government has confirmed the payment of December salaries to federal workers, easing concerns during this year’s Christmas celebrations. The Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, made this known on Tuesday while addressing allegations of salary delays.
Mokwa stated that the payments began on Monday, December 23, 2024. “They [the Nigerian government] have started paying since yesterday,” he said in response to inquiries from Dailypost.
Explaining the delay in November salaries, Mokwa attributed it to shortfalls caused by the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage. He assured that the issue had been resolved and that affected workers had been paid. “Last month, you will observe that some people didn’t get their salaries on time. Some ministries were having shortfalls,” he explained. “Yesterday, they paid all, and even the ones that had shortfalls, they ensured that they were augmented and paid. So, it now depends on the banks. It varies from bank to bank on how it will drop, but they have been paid.”
Despite these assurances, some federal workers in the Federal Capital Territory have expressed frustration over the earlier delays, noting the adverse impact on their holiday plans. One civil servant, who requested anonymity, shared his disappointment, stating, “The salary delay situation is unfortunate. It has made this year’s Christmas difficult for me and my family. We couldn’t travel due to the delays.”
The confirmation of December salary payments offers some relief to workers navigating economic challenges during the festive season, with many hoping for a more stable payroll system in the coming months.
