Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged the federal government and state governments to review the salaries of workers to address disparities between workers in the federal and state governments. He made the call in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the foundation-laying ceremony of the secretariat of the Association of Former Bayelsa State Secretaries. Jonathan emphasized that workers with similar qualifications and responsibilities should receive similar salaries and ranks.
Jonathan cited the example of directors in state governments who are on grade level 16, while their counterparts in the federal government are on grade level 17. He described this disparity as unacceptable, given that they have similar qualifications and responsibilities. During his time as governor of Bayelsa, Jonathan recalled that he regraded the salaries of state workers, creating a new grade level 17 for directors who previously retired on grade level 16.
The former president directed the Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, and Accountant General to implement the changes to harmonize the ranks of state directors with their federal counterparts. He also drew a parallel with university lecturers, arguing that professors teaching in federal universities should receive similar salaries to their counterparts in state universities.
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, represented by the Head of Service, Dr. Ebiye Sawyer, promised that the government would support the completion of the secretariat project. The project, according to the Chairman of the association, King Collins Ebi Daniel, would include offices, meeting rooms, and recreational facilities, with an estimated cost of N500 million and a completion period of two years.
Jonathan commended the former secretaries for their initiative in building the center, which he said would benefit not only members of the association but also the wider community. The event was attended by various stakeholders, who also made suggestions on how to utilize the center.
Some participants proposed that the center be converted into a policy research institute to contribute to the development of Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole. They believed that this would enable the center to play a more significant role in shaping the state's and country's future.
The project is expected to be completed within two years, with an estimated cost of N500 million. The association's secretariat will provide a modern workspace for its members and serve as a hub for policy research and development.
Key points
- Former President Goodluck Jonathan calls for salary review to address disparities between federal and state workers.
- Jonathan cites examples of directors in state governments being on lower grade levels than their federal counterparts.
- The project is expected to cost N500 million and be completed within two years.
