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Government Working Within Tight Revenue Constraints, We Can’t Increase Civil Servants’ Salaries – Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, gave reasons why the Federal Government could not increase public servants’ salaries despite its desirability.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, quoted Buhari as giving the reasons when he received the Central Working Committee of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria at the State House, Abuja.

The statement was titled ‘Oronsaye report will lead to fundamental changes in our civil service, President Buhari assures’.

Responding to the committee’s request for the review of civil servants’ salaries, the President said while such a review was urgently needed due to global inflation, the Federal Government was working within tight revenue constraints caused by the diversion of resources to urgent security threats nationwide.

He stated, “I wish to urge you to appreciate the revenue constraint being presently faced by the government, which is caused mainly by the activities of unscrupulous citizens through the theft of our crude oil, a major contributor to our revenue base.

“This is compounded by the global economic downturn as a result of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, which has led to price increases not just in the costs of goods and services globally, but also in the transportation of these goods and services across the globe.

“You are also aware of the enormous burden placed on our finances by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, let me note the significant investment we have had to make in security over the last seven years, which means other sectors of the economy have not been able to receive as much funding as we would have liked. Only when our country is secured that we are able to proceed and take on other aspects of our economic challenges.”

The President said he had directed that the Orosanye White Paper Report be subjected to immediate review for the Federal Government to implement its general recommendation.

Buhari, who stated that the review was about to be completed, said its implementation would bring some fundamental changes to the structure of the civil service.

Submitted in 2011, the report has been a subject of controversy as it proposes, among other things, the merging and outright scrapping of over 263 government agencies.

It also proposed that the law establishing the National Salaries and Wages Commission be repealed and its functions were taken over by the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Responsibility Commission to save the government N2bn.

While noting that public service, as the engine room of government, should attract the best and the brightest, the President said, “I have directed that the Orosanye White Paper Report be subjected to immediate review to enable the government to take the most appropriate decision on its general recommendation.

“I am aware that the review is about to be completed. While some may complain about the length of time it has taken thus far, the outcome of the various review teams will lead to some fundamental changes in the structure of our civil service, and as such, it must be subjected to rigorous review and scrutiny before presentation and implementation.”

He explained that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation would submit the harmonized white paper once it had been concluded.

The President noted that his regime remained focused on strengthening the service and ensuring that it helps the government to fulfill its objectives.

He also appreciated civil servants for their role in realizing the targets of the Federal Government.

The President also told the ASCSN that its request for restoration of the payment of gratuity to public service employees was one of the landmark provisions addressed in the 2004 Pension Reform Act.

He stated, “Therefore, implementing your request for the payment of a bulk sum of gratuity to retired civil servants would negate the intent and provisions of the Act.

“It should be acknowledged that a change in the implementation of the Act will require an amendment by the National Assembly. But more importantly, the Pension Reform Act is a better designed and robust system that allows for the safety of pensioners’ funds and their payment.”

On the harmonization of salaries in the public service, the President said a committee was set up for that purpose under the Minister of Finance, which was still working.

Buhari said the Head of Service of the Federation had been directed to liaise with other relevant government agencies to see how the 2023 budget estimates could accommodate an increase in the budget of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board.

He explained that investment in security assets had been at a huge cost after several decades of negligence.

Buhari also expressed “unshaken” confidence in the Nigerian Armed Forces saying, “Recent reports have shown the message is now being heard and the dividends of our seven years of investments are now maturing.

“I implore our forces to continue with the current effort and determination until we rid our land of these miscreants.”

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, said members of the ASCSN had been supportive in actualizing the programs and policies of the regime, describing the leadership as mostly public servants who were vast in civil service procedures, adding, “So when you negotiate with them, it is easy; and when you make the right point, they know.”

The President of the ASCSN, Dr. Tommy Okon, had earlier noted that the regime had been “worker-friendly” with the implementation of far-reaching reforms.

He called for an increase in salaries of civil servants, following increasing cost of living, restoration of full payment of gratuity at retirement, harmonization of public service salaries and allowances, and an increase in the budget of the National Housing Fund.

BIG STORY

Every Government Has A Cabal, Buhari’s Administration Had One — Gambari

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Ibrahim Gambari, who served as chief of staff to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has confirmed that Buhari relied on a “cabal.”

He clarified, however, that this was not unique to Buhari’s time in office.

Gambari made the remark during a preview of an interview with Laolu Akande, the former spokesperson to ex-Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, set to air on Friday.

Concerns over cabals in Nigerian presidencies have been long-standing, especially regarding the influence of unelected individuals on major governance and policy decisions.

These tight-knit and often discreet groups are known to influence appointments, key policies, and decisions — at times, more than formal institutions or the elected leader.

Gambari admitted that Buhari had his own small inner circle.

“I would address it honestly, and I want to and on record,” he said.

“They say there’s a cabal or was a cabal — there was, but every government has cabal. It is what they call them.

Some call it ‘kitchen cabinet’, some may call it ‘think tank’. Obasanjo had a group of people, the Aboyades of this world and others, and a small group of people.

It is the nature of the office of president that they must have some people in and out of government that they can lay their hair down, talk to freely.

So, some have more powers than others, but every government, I make it bold say, has a cabal of one kind of or whatever name it is called.”

Back in 2018, Buhari’s wife Aisha raised concerns over a few individuals allegedly wielding significant power in her husband’s administration at the expense of Nigerians.

Buhari, however, downplayed her warnings.

More recently, Solomon Dalung, a former minister, claimed that the group of insiders around President Bola Tinubu is far more dangerous, ambitious, and refined than the “clique that cocooned” Buhari.

Dalung, who served as Buhari’s youth and sports minister from 2015 to 2019, said that while Buhari’s cabal was less educated and inexperienced in politics and governance, Tinubu’s allies are “sophisticated, ambitious, and educated, with sound knowledge of power dynamics.”

He described the Tinubu cabal as the most dangerous in Nigeria’s political history.

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BIG STORY

FG Warns Akwa Ibom, Jigawa, Katsina, 8 Others Of Imminent Flooding

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The federal ministry of environment has alerted the public to expected flooding across eleven states between July 16 and 20.

Usman Bokani, who serves as the director of the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the ministry, issued the warning on Wednesday.

As detailed in the alert, the areas likely to be affected include Adamawa (Mubi); Akwa Ibom (Edor, Upenekang, Oron, Eket); Borno (Ngala, Maiduguri); and Bauchi (Azare, Bauchi, Itas, Jama’are, Kafin-Madaki, Jama’a, Kari, Misau).

The list also includes Cross River (Calabar, Akpap); Jigawa (Miga, Gwaram, Diginsa, Ringim, Dutse); Katsina (Daura); Kano (Kunchi, Kano, Gezawa, Wudil, Bebeji, Sumaila, Tudun Wada); Plateau (Jos, Bukuru, Mangu); Yobe (Jakusko, Machina, Dapchi); and Zamfara (Bungudu, Gusau).

Bokani encouraged state governments and all relevant bodies to implement preventive steps to minimize the impact of the anticipated floods on both lives and property.

Earlier, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had identified 30 states along with the federal capital territory (FCT) as areas with high flood risk in 2025.

According to the agency, 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs fall within the states categorized as moderate flood risk.

In 2024, flooding resulted in 321 deaths, affected more than 1.37 million individuals, and displaced over 740,000 people across Nigeria.

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BIG STORY

Your Support Symbolises Great Honour To My Father’s Memory — Buhari’s Son To Tinubu

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Buhari’s son became emotional as he expressed gratitude to Tinubu for honouring his father with a dignified state funeral.

Yusuf, the son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, conveyed his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the honour given to his late father.

He made the statement during an expanded Federal Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Thursday in Buhari’s honour.

Yusuf, who was present at the special session alongside his siblings, extended his thanks to President Tinubu and his administration for their support to his father and family.

He also acknowledged the National Assembly, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, other governors, and Nigerians for their solidarity with the grieving family.

Yusuf said, “It has shown that he (Buhari) was regarded far more than a politician, but regarded as a friend and a father. To all members of the Federal Executive Council, for the care and befitting burial accorded to our late father, we appreciate you all.

I also wish to thank the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and all the distinguished and honorable members of the National Assembly for honoring the memory of our late father during the state burial in Daura.

Your visits, calls, and prayers symbolise a great honour to the memory of our late father, and we’re sincerely grateful for all the support and solidarity extended to the family. May Allah continue to bless us all.”

Fighting back tears, Yusuf added, “Thank you, daddy. Thank you, Daddy. Thank you, Daddy. May Allah continue to bless, provide, and protect you throughout your tenure.”

Buhari passed away on Sunday at a medical facility in London.

His remains were received by Tinubu and interred in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday.

President Bola Tinubu paid his final respects to former President Muhammadu Buhari at the burial in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

Buhari served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023.

He was also the country’s military head of state between 1983 and 1985.

He died at the age of 82.

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