The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce a new wage system for the civil service, focusing on employee productivity rather than uniform salary scales.
This move aims to reward workers based on their individual productivity levels, regardless of their grade levels.
The Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Nasir Raji-Mustapha, revealed this during a meeting with Labour correspondents on Monday, emphasizing the importance of productivity in driving economic growth.
“We are in the process of developing a productivity-led wage system that will ensure that those who are productive are rewarded for their efforts, irrespective of their grade level.” Explained by Raji-Mustapha.
Highlighting the innovative aspect of the proposed system, he noted that under this arrangement, employees on the same salary scale could earn different wages based on their productivity levels.
Responding to queries about labour’s involvement in the initiative, Raji-Mustapha underscored the importance of stakeholder engagement, stating that the input of organised labour was integral to the process.
He confirmed that labour unions were consulted during the project’s inception and expressed willingness to support the proposed wage system.
The Director-General disclosed that the first phase of the study was completed, with the next step involving consultations with various stakeholders to refine the proposal before presenting it to the Federal Government for consideration and possible adoption.
Furthermore, Raji-Mustapha highlighted the Centre’s collaboration with international agencies to enhance the productivity and skills of Nigerian workers.
He mentioned partnerships with organisations such as the International Labour Organisation, Japanese International Cooperation Agency, Africa Productivity Association, and Asia Productivity Association.
In addition, he noted the Centre’s efforts in promoting productivity among youth, particularly National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, through advocacy and training initiatives.
He revealed plans for the National Productivity Summit, featuring Vice President Kashim Shettima as the keynote speaker, scheduled to take place in Abuja on Tuesday.
