Prime Minister Godwin Friday confirmed that employees of statutory bodies are not included in the central government’s $22 million immediate public sector bonus package.
Friday explained that the primary reason for their exclusion from the central plan is that many statutory boards are currently being reconstituted, as many positions became vacant at the end of the year under the new administration.
While not part of the central government’s direct payment, Friday suggested that individual statutory bodies can follow the lead of the central government. Once their boards are properly constituted, they have the authority to decide whether to offer similar bonus packages to their employees.
It is important to note a distinction made earlier in the briefing regarding reinstated workers.
While statutory workers are excluded from the bonus package, the Attorney General confirmed that employees of statutory bodies and state-owned enterprises who were dismissed due to the vaccine mandate are included in the government’s separate policy for job and benefit restoration.
For those who are included in the bonus package, the government has allocated approximately $22 million to be distributed tax-free by 30 January 2026.
This includes $2,000 for permanent and non-established public servants, $1,500 for pensioners, and $1,000 for daily paid workers.