BudgIT Counters Nigerian State Governments On Salary Controversy

Following denials from state governments that trailed its civil servants salary survey, BudgIT, a civi-tech organisation has defended its report, stating that various workers were interviewed to reach the survey’s conclusion.

Prime Business Africa had reported that BudgIT’s 2022 Nigerian Sub-National Salary Survey had disclosed that 12 states, including Edo, Ebonyi, Imo, Nasarawa and Plateau, who their workers at least one month salary.

States like Abia, Ebonyi, and Taraba are reported to owe civil servants up to six months, while Ondo State owe workers about four months salary.

But with Edo State, Plateau and Akwa Ibom denying the reports claim on their workers’ salary, BudgIT’s head of media, communications and designs, Iyanu Fatoba, insisted the survey is accurate.

“Using the stratified sampling technique, we surveyed 1,042 respondents across the three senatorial districts of each state,” the statement said, adding that government office covered includes, “MDAs; state secondary health institution; state high court.”

Others are, “state house of assembly service commission; state secondary school; and state tertiary institution; pensioner paid by the state; local government civil servants; local government secretariat; primary school; primary healthcare centre and pensioners paid by local government.”

The statement further reads, “While state governments are refuting claims that they owe salaries, reactions and feedback from the citizens suggest that the months reported as being owed by state governments are grossly understated in our salary and pension survey.

“This survey’s objective remains to nudge states towards their contractual obligations and responsibilities to the civil service and promote the dignity of labour.

“BudgIT will continue spotlighting issues bordering on state governments’ obligations to their workers. To this end, we would consider another round of surveys in six months to appraise the progress on issues raised.”