Niger State civil servants have voiced their frustrations over unexpected deductions of 10% from their May 2025 salaries, alongside other third-party charges, which they say have caused significant financial hardship.
SaharaReporters exclusively gathered that many workers say the sudden reductions took them by surprise and have raised concerns about the impact on their livelihoods.
Some said that they were not adequately informed about the deductions, leading to confusion and anxiety among employees across the state.
The deductions include contributions to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), repayments to cooperative societies, and Sharp Sharp loans.
However, it was later confirmed that the Niger State government issued a circular on 17th March 2025 through the Office of the Head of Service, informing civil servants about the resumption of third-party deductions starting in May.
Meanwhile the Niger State Organised Labour in a statement on Wednesday clarified that the CPS contribution rate had increased from 7.5% to 10% of workers’ salaries.
They also explained that union dues and taxes remain statutory deductions and are not new issues in this payroll process.
The union said, “We want to state categorically that the deduction of contributory pension is in the interest of the workers. It is unreasonable and of great defect for civil servants who are under the Contributory Pension Scheme not to be enrolled. Without contribution, it will not augur well for safe landing of the civil servants as they may not have anything to hold on to after retirement.”
Organised Labour added that it “had a long and diligent interface with the government before the reintroduction of the CPS” and secured commitments to prevent past mistakes. The union plans to “establish a special bureau that will monitor month by month the progress (and inadequacies, if any) of the CPS.”
The union also acknowledged a payroll error where some civil servants under the Defined Benefit Scheme were mistakenly deducted as CPS contributors. Describing this as “an anomaly from the Ministry of Finance,” they assured workers of “an action plan that will correct the anomaly through robust engagement with the Ministry of Finance.”
In response, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), through Niger State Organised Labour, reassured civil servants: “At no time will the Organised Labour abandon them to their fate. Our core mandate is to defend the interest of Niger state civil servants with the ‘last drop of our blood’.”
They appealed for patience and understanding during this difficult period.
