In a major move to improve the living standards of its workforce, the Federal Government has sanctioned an increase in peculiar allowances and various welfare benefits for civil servants.
Didi Walson-Jack, Nigeria’s Head of the Civil Service, announced the updates during a Friday press briefing in Abuja, noting that the changes are designed to increase take-home pay and “boost the morale of the government’s workforce.”
The adjustments specifically target employees under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS).
Walson-Jack emphasized that the benefits are structured across all grade levels to ensure a “broad-based impact across all cadres,” benefiting both senior and junior officers alike.
Key revisions to the Public Service Rules include:
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Duty Tour Allowance (DTA): A 100 percent DTA has been approved for civil servants attending authorized training. Notably, this applies even if no travel is required. As Walson-Jack explained, “Even if you are based in Abuja and attend training within Abuja, you are entitled to full DTA.”
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Other Allowances: Significant reviews were also applied to estacode and book allowances, with the Head of Service stating that “almost all allowances in the Public Service Rules have been revised.”
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Retirement Benefits: A new exit benefit scheme under the Contributory Pension Scheme took effect on January 1, 2026. This provides retirees with 100 percent of their full emoluments as a one-time package in addition to their regular pension.
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Employee Compensation: The government has operationalized the Employee Compensation Scheme to provide financial protection for workers facing job-related injuries or death.
The Head of Service highlighted that these reforms are vital to “enhance dignity in retirement,” asserting that “no public servant should leave service without adequate financial support.”
This overhaul follows persistent demands from labor unions for better welfare amidst a rising cost of living and comes approximately two years after a general salary increase of 25% to 35% across multiple consolidated salary structures, including the police, paramilitary, and armed forces.
