FG SPENT ₦9.39TN ON WAGE HIKE, ALLOWANCES IN 31 MONTHS — OYEDELE

The Federal Government spent a total of ₦9.39 trillion on wage increases and allowances for public sector workers between June 2023 and December 2025, according to fiscal policy expert Taiwo Oyedele.
Oyedele said the amount represents a significant increase in government expenditure on personnel costs during the period.
According to him, the expenditure on higher wages and allowances has exceeded the savings recorded from the removal of the petrol subsidy.
The increase followed the Federal Government’s implementation of a new national minimum wage and other adjustments to workers’ pay and allowances amid rising living costs.
The government had introduced the wage reforms as part of efforts to cushion the impact of economic reforms and improve workers’ welfare.
However, the figures have also renewed debate over the sustainability of government spending, particularly as the country continues to face pressure to fund infrastructure, social programmes and other development needs.
Oyedele’s disclosure provides an insight into how much the government has committed to personnel-related expenses since the beginning of the Tinubu administration.
The development comes amid ongoing discussions about Nigeria’s economic reforms, revenue generation and the need to balance government expenditure with available resources.
While higher wages are expected to provide relief for workers facing increased living costs, the government is also under pressure to ensure that rising personnel expenditure does not crowd out funding for essential public services and capital projects.
The Federal Government has continued to defend its economic reforms, arguing that the measures are necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s economy and create a more sustainable fiscal system.