Federal Workers Begin Nationwide Indefinite Protest Over Unmet Demand
Abuja, Nigeria – April 22, 2025
Thousands of federal workers across Nigeria have embarked on an indefinite nationwide protest beginning today, April 22, 2025, under the banner of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF). The movement, tagged #FederalWorkersProtest, aims to press home demands for improved welfare and long-overdue payments.
The protest follows the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government, which the Forum says was ignored, prompting the workers to act.
According to a press release jointly signed by Comrade Andrew Emelieze, National Coordinator of the Forum and Comrade Itoro Obong, Secretary General, the first day of the protest was described as “peaceful and successful,” with federal secretariats in various states being occupied by protesting workers, despite the presence of security operatives.
The Forum listed five core demands:
1. Immediate payment of five-month wage award arrears
2. Implementation of the 40% peculiar allowance and its arrears
3. Review of the heavy taxation on federal workers’ salaries
4. Upward review of the national minimum wage
5. Payment of Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)
The organizers called on all federal workers to increase their participation from Day 2 of the protest, urging them to fully occupy and shut down all federal secretariats nationwide.
“We are optimistic that if we push further, the Federal Government will have no option but to listen to us, especially regarding the unpaid five-month wage award arrears,” the statement read.
The Forum also criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing his labor policies as “anti-worker” and “promoting hardship” among federal employees. They urged the President to reconsider his stance and engage meaningfully with labor groups.
Despite the tension surrounding the protest, the FWF commended the professionalism of security agencies and expressed gratitude to the media for amplifying their voices.
In their closing remarks, the union leaders emphasized that the movement is “anti-hunger, anti-poverty, and pro-freedom”, and vowed to continue the protest until their demands are met.
“No retreat, no surrender,” the statement declared.