Pressure Mounts In FCT-IRS As Staff Demand 300% Salary Increase
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Pressure Mounts In FCT-IRS As Staff Demand 300% Salary Increase
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Some aggrieved staff members of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service, FCT-IRS have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike following unresolved welfare concerns, including demands for a 300 per cent salary increase, delayed promotions and improved working conditions within the agency.
The workers, who spoke with INCNews247 on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, accused the management of the FCT-IRS of neglecting staff welfare despite what they described as consistent growth in the agency’s internally generated revenue, IGR over the years.
According to the workers, employees of the Service had not received any meaningful salary increment since 2021 despite worsening economic realities and rising inflation across the country.
They also alleged that promotion exercises had been delayed for years, leaving many workers stagnated without career advancement.
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The aggrieved staff noted that despite the difficult working conditions, workers remained committed to their responsibilities and continued to exceed revenue targets for the Federal Capital Territory.
They disclosed that the Service generated over ₦262bn in internally generated revenue in 2024, surpassing its annual target by approximately ₦12bn.
According to them, the performance continued in 2025, with about ₦43.8bn generated in January alone and over ₦360bn reportedly realised by the end of the year.
“It is deeply disheartening that while staff continue to deliver outstanding results and exceed expectations, their welfare and remuneration remain neglected,” one of the workers said.
The employees further alleged that staff members of the FCT-IRS had repeatedly been excluded from several Federal Government-approved salary and welfare improvements granted to public servants.
They specifically referenced the 40 per cent peculiar allowance increase approved during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the 25 per cent salary adjustment introduced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the recent national minimum wage increase, claiming that none had been implemented for staff of the Service.
The workers also accused the management of suppressing attempts by employees to establish an independent labour union, alleging that the recently inaugurated union leadership was largely influenced by management and could not effectively represent workers’ interests.
They further alleged that some staff members involved in the agitation had been subjected to intimidation, harassment and issuance of queries for participating in what they described as lawful advocacy concerning staff welfare.
“Initially, they started intimidating and issuing queries to staff. But when they realised that the action had instead emboldened workers, they began using senior colleagues and personal relationships to discourage participation in the planned picketing,” one of the sources alleged.
The workers also raised concerns over the continued presence of secondment staff occupying sensitive positions within the agency, alleging that their influence had contributed to workplace division and declining morale among employees.
The aggrieved staff said they would commence a peaceful picketing exercise at the headquarters of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service from May 13 to May 15, 2026, warning that an indefinite strike would follow from May 18 if their demands remained unmet.
Among their demands are the immediate release and implementation of promotion results, a 300 per cent salary increment, improved healthcare packages, provision of a housing scheme and the disengagement of secondment staff within the agency.
Efforts to obtain official reactions from the management of the Service were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
