President Bola Tinubu has declared a N25,000 wage increase for low-grade civil service workers as part of his efforts to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal policy. In his Independence Day Broadcast, President Tinubu pledged that this salary increase would be effective for a six-month period.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by Nigerians and the potential indefinite strike by organized labor, President Tinubu emphasized his understanding of the hardships that the nation is enduring. He stated that he is committed to ensuring that the country’s progress is built on a solid foundation and not on unstable policies.
President Tinubu explained that while reform may be painful, it is necessary for the greatness and future of the nation. He stressed the importance of building a future Nigeria where the nation’s resources are equitably distributed among all its citizens, eliminating hunger, poverty, and hardship.
To ease the economic burden, the government has embarked on public sector reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy and fighting inflation. The President also outlined measures to support the poor and vulnerable, including introducing a provisional wage increment for low-grade workers. Over the next six months, these workers will receive an additional N25,000 per month.
Furthermore, the government has established an Infrastructure Support Fund to help states invest in critical areas and provide relief packages against rising food and other prices. President Tinubu also highlighted efforts to make public transportation more affordable by deploying Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, which will operate at a fraction of current fuel prices.
The introduction of CNG conversion kits and the establishment of training facilities across the nation to provide new opportunities for transport operators and entrepreneurs are part of a groundbreaking moment to make the economy more efficient. These initiatives will help the country embrace more efficient means to power its economy while addressing the challenges posed by recent economic reforms.