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Fuel Subsidy: FG Begins 40% Pay Rise For Workers April Ending

Published

2 years ago

April 18, 2023

Barring any last-minute change of plans, the Federal Government will begin payment of the planned increase in civil servants’ pay by the end of this month (April).

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to give his final assent for disbursement any moment from now.

If the proposal sails through, it means the increase will be coming about two months to the June date proposed for the removal of petrol subsidy.

Officials of the Federal Government told The PUNCH that the fresh pay increase, tagged consequential allowance, would lead to a 40 per cent rise in the current pay of government workers.

Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH, the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, revealed that the Federal Government might begin payment of the 40 per cent pay rise by the end of April this year, adding that the three months arrears of January, February and March would be paid at a later date.

Oshundun, however, said he could not confirm if the proposal by the government committee saddled with the task had been finally approved by the President.

He said, “Consequential allowance Salaries will be increased by 40 per cent for civil servants from level 1 to level 17.

“What we receive now is called consolidated public service salary structure, it is the combination of basic and all allowances. So, the increase will be 40 per cent of what a public servant is earning now.

“They will start paying from the end of this month (April) and the arrears of January, February and March will be paid later. The salary increase is effective from January 2023. That is the proposal submitted by the committee set up to look into salary adjustment for civil servants, but am not sure if the President has signed it yet.”

Last month, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige disclosed that the Federal Government had approved a pay raise for civil servants in the country.

He added that the pay rise had been included in the 2023 budget, noting that it would take effect from January 1, 2023.

Ngige described the pay raise as a peculiar allowance for civil servants in view of the current economic reality and it is meant to help government workers to cushion the effects of rising inflation, rising cost of living, hikes in transportation fare, housing and electricity tariffs.

The PUNCH reports that Nigeria’s headline inflation increased to 22.04 per cent year-on-year in March, the highest rate since September 2005.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics data, the latest rise in inflation rate is the third consecutive increase this year, increasing by 0.13 per cent points when compared to the February 2023 headline inflation rate.

The NBS added that the cost of food and beverages contributed significantly to overall inflation.

“The contributions of items on the divisional level to the increase in the headline index are food and non-alcoholic beverages (11.42 per cent); housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuel (3.69 per cent); clothing and footwear (1.69 per cent); transport (1.43 per cent); furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (1.11 per cent); education (0.87 per cent); health (0.66 per cent); miscellaneous goods and services (0.37 per cent); restaurant and hotels (0.27 per cent); alcoholic beverage, tobacco and kola (0.24 per cent); recreation and culture (0.15 per cent) and communication (0.15 per cent),” the NBS report added.

However, leaders of the organised labour on Monday described the proposed pay rise as a meagre allowance that would not be equivalent to a 40 per cent increase in workers’ salaries.

Reacting in a telephone interview, the National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Etim, confirmed the moves by the government to increase “allowances and not salaries” as publicly insinuated.

According to him, the allowance is an increased arising from the peculiar circumstances surrounding the removal of the fuel subsidy and inflation. He, however, stressed that civil servants were yet to receive the payment.

He said, “I am aware of the moves by the government and the payment is to start from January. The new payment is not an increase in workers’ salaries. It is a peculiar allowance and not an increase in salary, so we don’t misinform the public.

“It is just an increase in basic salary and not across board. Other components are not touched so that the market woman will not think the government has increased salary.

“It is an allowance because of the peculiar circumstances surrounding the removal of fuel subsidy and inflation. An allowance is not a salary. No civil servant has received so I cannot speak authoritatively until it hits everyone’s bank account.”

Etim, who is also the president of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, further charged the government to consider increment of other allowances such as rent and transportation

“We would also admire it if other allowances are looked into, especially housing and transport. The present socioeconomic indices don’t favour transportation for civil servants with some spending their whole salary just on transportation, not to talk of rent and other bills. The government should also look at that aspect as it is very important,” he added.

However, the Nigerian Labour Congress denied knowledge of the proposed increment noting that “We are only hearing it as rumours.”

The National Treasurer, NLC, Hakeem Ambali, said the union had yet to be involved in any form of discussion concerning the issue.

He said, “For us, we are only hear it as rumours because there are procedures for negotiating fringe benefits and workers’ entitlement which is through collective bargaining. It is a tripartite thing that would have to be negotiated. But with what we are seeing, it still looks like a rumour, we are still waiting that the Federal Government will invite the necessary arm of labour where negotiation will be done and we would agree.

“Any increment not based on available and empirical data would not be agreeable to labour. We must sit down to look at the inflationary and economic trends to arrive at a logical conclusion. So the first step is to go back to the negotiating table.”

When asked about the union’s next action if the government went ahead with the proposed plan, he simply said, “We would continue in our push, even in our acceptance speech we made it clear that labour will negotiate with the Federal Government on minimum wage increment, so any allowance that doesn’t take cognisance of the economic reality of the day is not acceptable to labour.”
PUNCH

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Nigerians Who Have Broken Guinness World Records

Published

4 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

Over the years, Nigerians have made their mark on the global stage by setting and breaking Guinness World Records across diverse fields.

Here are ten Nigerians who have earned a place in the Guinness World Records:

1. Hilda Baci – Longest Cooking Marathon

Celebrity chef Hilda Baci captured national and international attention in May 2023 after cooking for 100 hours, setting the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. Though her record was later surpassed, Baci has remained at the forefront of culinary challenges.

At the time of writing this report, Baci is attempting to cook the largest pot of Jollof rice in collaboration with a food brand.

2. Tunde Onakoya – Longest Chess Marathon

Chess master and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, etched his name in history on April 17, 2025, after playing non-stop chess for 64 hours in New York, USA. His successful attempt came a year after an earlier effort, which, though unsuccessful in breaking the record, raised over $100,000 for his charity initiative. The 64-hour duration was symbolic, representing the total number of squares on a chessboard.

3. Ojumola Bello – Longest Acting Marathon

Nollywood actress
Ojumola Bello made history in September 2024 when she completed 139 hours and 19 minutes of non-stop acting. The marathon, held at Pent View Hotel in Ikorodu, ran from September 22 to 27, making her the first Nigerian actress to secure such a feat in the global records.

4. Helen Williams – Longest Handmade Wig

Helen Williams is a professional wig maker based in Lagos who turned her craft into a world-class achievement. At just 31, she entered the Guinness World Records in July 2023 with the longest handmade wig, measuring 351.28 metres longer than the Eiffel Tower. Her record reflects not only skill and creativity but also Nigeria’s growing influence in the global beauty and fashion industry.

5. Divine Ikubor (REMA)

Divine Ikubor, professionally known as Rema, is a Nigerian Afrobeats star whose global rise has redefined the country’s music scene. In May 2023, he made history as the first artist to top the MENA charts, earning a Guinness World Records title. His breakout hit Calm Down, released on February 11, 2022, quickly became one of the fastest songs to surpass 100 million streams on Spotify, cementing his status as one of Africa’s most influential young artists.

6. Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau – Longest Dance Party

Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau, popularly known as Kaffy, is Nigeria’s most celebrated dancer, choreographer, and fitness coach. She rose to international fame in 2006 after leading a team to break the Guinness World Record for the longest dance party during the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon. Today, she remains a trailblazer in the entertainment industry and a role model for young African performers.

7. Wizkid – One Billion Streams

Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, one of Nigeria’s most internationally recognized musicians, came to the Guinness World Record spotlight when he featured on Drake’s hit single One Dance, which became the first track to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. The song was released on December 16, 2016.

One Dance marked a significant moment in global music, further solidifying Wizkid’s place in the international music scene. With the song, Wizkid became the first Afrobeats artist to achieve one billion streams on Spotify.

8. Lucy Ejike – Heaviest Powerlifter

Lucy Ejike is a decorated Nigerian Paralympian and one of the country’s most celebrated powerlifters. She made history at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games by lifting 142 kg in the -61 kg category, setting a Guinness World Record for the heaviest powerlift by a female athlete in that division. Her dominance in the sport stretches back to the Athens 2004 Paralympics, where her 127.5 kg lift in the -44 kg class secured gold and established a record that still stands today.

9. Fela Kuti – Most Studio Albums Recorded By A Solo Artist

Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the legendary Afrobeat pioneer, holds a Guinness World Records title for the most studio albums recorded by a solo artist. Between 1969 and 1992, he released 46 albums over a 23-year career, leaving behind a body of work that continues to shape global music and political activism.

10. Adeoye Ajibola – Paralympic Athletes

Adeoye Ajibola, a Nigerian Paralympic sprinter, made history at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games when he ran the men’s 100 metres in 10.72 seconds. Competing in the T46 classification for athletes with limb impairments, he set a Guinness World Records mark and remains celebrated as one of Nigeria’s greatest Paralympic athletes.

11. Joy Onaolapo – Paralympic powerlifter

Joy Onaolapo was a Nigerian Paralympic powerlifter who delivered an unforgettable performance at the London 2012 Games. On September 1, she won a gold medal in the women’s -52 kg category after lifting 131 kg, a feat that secured her place in the Guinness World Records, among Nigeria’s sporting legends and inspired future generations of para-athletes.

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What To Know About Albania’s AI Minister, Diella

Published

4 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

Albania’s government has introduced Diella, an AI-generated virtual cabinet member tasked with public procurement. A world-first move that’s already drawing big praise and big questions.

Nigerian Tribune reports that Prime Minister Edi Rama unveiled Diella on Friday as a virtual member of the government, describing her as a cabinet member “not present physically but created virtually,” adding that she would help ensure public tenders remain free of corruption while making government operations more efficient and transparent.

Below are ten most important, sourced facts and the key open questions to watch out for.

1. Diella as an AI

Diella is a computer system presented as an animated avatar (shown in traditional Albanian dress) and introduced by Prime Minister Edi Rama as a cabinet “member” created by AI rather than a flesh-and-blood minister.

2. Official role and timing

The government
appointed Diella to take responsibility for public procurement when the new cabinet was presented in mid-September 2025. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Edi Rama.

3. Where Diella came from

Diella evolved from a virtual assistant on the government e-Albania portal (AKSHI’s platform). The system was developed by Albania’s National Agency for Information Society (AKSHI) and expanded into a cabinet-level AI.

4. What the government promises

Officials say Diella will make public procurement “100% free of corruption” by removing political discretion from awarding tenders and applying algorithmic decision-making. That is the reform pitch from PM Rama.

5. Legal and constitutional controversy

The appointment has sparked immediate debate. The presidency and opposition have expressed concern about constitutionality and who is accountable for ministerial decisions; some opposition figures have called the move political theatre.

6. Practical authority and human oversight unclear

Reports say procurement responsibilities are intended to be transferred gradually, but the government has not (publicly) published the full operational rules, human-in-the-loop safeguards, or the audit framework that would show who can override or audit Diella’s decisions.

That lack of detail is a major practical question.

7. Tech partnerships and the avatar

News reports say Diella was developed by Albania’s AI lab at AKSHI and Associated Press reports mention collaboration with Microsoft; the avatar’s likeness and voice have also been linked to a local actress in public reporting.

8. Innovation vs. democratic/ethical worries.

Domestic and international reaction is mixed. Supporters call it bold tech innovation to fight endemic corruption; critics warn about democratic accountability, potential for hidden biases, and the optics of “putting AI in power.” International outlets have also shown interest in how Diella will be deployed and analysts are watching closely.

9. Top technical and governance risks to watch

Key risks flagged by observers: how decisions will be explained to losing bidders; whether procurement datasets contain historical bias; who is responsible if the system is manipulated or hacked; and whether legal frameworks allow algorithmic substitution for political decision-making.

These issues drive both legal challenges and practical audit needs.

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Israel-Palestine Conflict: Nigeria, 141 Countries Endorse Two-State Solution

Published

9 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

Nigeria on Friday joined 141 other countries to endorse New York Declaration on two-State solution between Israel and Palestine at the UN headquarters in New York.

Applause rang out in the UN General Assembly Hall as countries endorsed the declaration on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and implementation of the two-State solution with Israel.

The New York Declaration is the outcome of an international conference held in July at UN Headquarters, organised by France and Saudi Arabia, which resumes later this month.

The General Assembly comprises all 193 UN Member States and 142 countries voted in favour of a resolution backing the document.

Israel voted against it, alongside nine other countries: Argentina, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga and the United States, while 12 nations abstained.

Prior to the vote, French Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont recalled that the New York Declaration “lays out a single roadmap to deliver the two-State solution”.

This involves an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, release of all hostages held there, and the establishment of a Palestinian State that is both viable and sovereign.

The roadmap further calls for the disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from governance in Gaza, normalisation between Israel and the Arab countries, as well as collective security guarantees.

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Fuel Subsidy: FG Begins 40% Pay Rise For Workers April Ending

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Fuel Subsidy: FG Begins 40% Pay Rise For Workers April Ending

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Nigerians Who Have Broken Guinness World Records

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Fuel Subsidy: FG Begins 40% Pay Rise For Workers April Ending

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