The forum warned of nationwide protests and solidarity strikes if the Nigerian government fails to address outstanding wage arrears and meet the demands of striking health workers within seven days.
The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of abandoning federal workers to “unimaginable hardship."
The forum warned of nationwide protests and solidarity strikes if the Nigerian government fails to address outstanding wage arrears and meet the demands of striking health workers within seven days.
In a statement dated January 12, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze, and General Secretary, Comrade Ogundelle Ayo, the forum declared that federal workers across the country are “paralysed” by poor wages, unpaid entitlements and what it described as hostile government policies.
“The federal worker is currently paralysed, enduring unimaginable hardship and daily subjugated to confrontational state policies that have been very unfriendly,” the forum said.
“The reality now is that we need to stand out and speak out against the silence on the sufferings of the federal workers in Nigeria.”
The forum described the situation as akin to a coordinated assault on workers’ welfare, saying, “It is as if there has been a declaration of war on the federal workers in Nigeria. Every social step of government brings pains to the federal workers, and definitely, the federal workers should have the right to speak out, act and defend themselves.”
According to the FWF, some federal workers are yet to receive their December 2025 salaries, a situation it said has worsened hardship amid inflation, subsidy removal and the devaluation of the naira.
The forum expressed strong support for the ongoing strike by health sector workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and resident doctors, condemning the Federal Government’s handling of the dispute.
“It should actually be a shame on the federal government that the health sector, a very vital and critical sector, would go on strike for close to two months,” the group said.
“The government response confirms a carefree attitude, undermining the fact that many people are dying for lack of access to health care.
The FWF criticised the government’s insistence on the “no work, no pay” policy, describing it as “primitive, antisocial and anti-worker.”
“This is bullying and defeatist. What is expected of a responsible government is constructive engagement, not unnecessary intimidation,” the statement added.
The forum also faulted what it described as attempts to suppress industrial action through the courts, noting that “judicial orders restraining resident doctors from resuming their strike” suggested “a government trying to suppress and silence the federal workers.”
Beyond the health sector crisis, the forum painted a grim picture of conditions across the federal public service, describing wages as “ridiculously poor and exploitative.”
“The so-called new minimum wage has been a fraud,” the forum alleged. “Only forty thousand naira was added to the salaries of federal workers, amidst subsidy removal and the deliberate devaluation of the naira.”
It accused the government of failing to pay three months’ wage award arrears owed since April 2023, despite promises by the Office of the Accountant General that payment would commence in April 2025.
“Nothing has gotten to the federal workers,” the statement said.
The forum also listed other outstanding entitlements, including the balance of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance owed since July 2023, promotion arrears, duty tour allowances, hazard allowances and stalled promotions across several ministries, including Education, Labour and Health.
According to the forum, federal workers are now worse off than they were three years ago.
“The federal worker is poorer now compared to their situation three years ago,” it said, adding that many workers have been forced into multiple loans “just to survive,” leaving them “terrorized, demotivated and withdrawn from social life.”
FWF accused the Tinubu administration of failing to honour agreements reached with labour unions, alleging that workers who protest are often threatened, arrested or sanctioned.
“When our unions call for strikes, the federal government will not implement the agreement. When federal workers protest, they are arrested, detained and charged to court,” the forum said, adding that some workers have been suspended for participating in protests.
Issuing an ultimatum, the forum demanded that the Federal Government meet the demands of striking health workers within seven days or face nationwide action.
“Federal workers will begin an indefinite solidarity protest nationwide until the federal government meets the demands of the striking health sector workers,” the statement warned.
It also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to declare a nationwide indefinite solidarity strike if the government fails to act by January 19, 2026.
On the unpaid wage award arrears, FWF said patience had been exhausted.
“We have pleaded enough with the federal government since 2023,” it said, warning that federal workers would occupy the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and federal secretariats nationwide from January 19 if payments are not made.
The forum further demanded an immediate review of federal workers’ salaries, payment of December salaries owed to some workers, and the reinstatement of officers in the Steel Ministry allegedly suspended for participating in protests.
FWF also rejected the Tinubu administration’s new tax regime, disputing claims that it favours low-income earners.
“The new tax law has already caused an increase in the prices of goods and services,” the statement said, calling for its immediate suspension amid concerns about corruption and the absence of a functional social security system.
Concluding its statement, the forum delivered a blunt verdict on the administration’s performance.
“We are justified to say that President Tinubu has failed the federal workers,” it said. “All his policies have brought hardship to us.”