Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for the harmonisation of salary structures and career levels across Nigeria’s federal and state civil services.
Jonathan made the call in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, during the foundation-laying and fundraising ceremony for the Bayelsa State Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries’ Secretariat Complex.
The former President argued that civil servants performing similar duties should have the same grade levels and salary structures, regardless of whether they work for the federal or state government.
Jonathan recalled that during his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State, he discovered that directors in the state civil service retired at Grade Level 16, while their federal counterparts were on Grade Level 17.
He said he subsequently directed the state government to restructure the civil service and create Grade Level 17 for directors.
“The civil service of the federation is the civil service of the federation, whether you are working at the state level or you are working at the federal level, and I believe that the salary structure should be the same because it is the same government,” Jonathan said.
He also questioned the disparity between federal and state universities, asking why professors performing similar duties should receive different salaries.
“A professor lecturing in a federal university should receive the same salary as a professor lecturing in a state university. So why should a director in the state be on Level 16 while a director at the federal level is on Level 17?” he asked.
Jonathan said harmonising the structures would promote greater fairness and consistency across Nigeria’s civil service.
He also commended retired permanent secretaries in Bayelsa State for initiating the proposed secretariat complex, which is estimated to cost N500 million and is expected to be completed within two years.
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, represented by the Head of Service, Dr Ebiye Sawyer, pledged the state government’s support for the project.
The proposed complex will feature administrative offices, event halls, conference rooms and recreational facilities. Some dignitaries also suggested transforming the facility into a policy institute that could contribute to policy development at both the state and national levels.
