Imagine working for years on the same salary while prices keep climbing. For Abia’s legislative workers, that story is finally changing, but for teachers and nurses, the wait continues.

So, here’s what happened. Governor Alex Otti has approved a 25% implementation of CONLESS, the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure, for eligible workers of the Abia State House of Assembly and the Assembly Service Commission.

CBI News notes that the new structure takes effect from January 2027, reportedly making Abia the first state in the South-East to adopt CONLESS for parliamentary workers.

This isn’t just about a payslip. It’s about dignity, fairness, and whether public servants can live decently on what they earn. CONLESS is the approved pay framework for legislative workers across Nigeria, yet implementation has stalled in several states despite years of agitation.

The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) welcomed the move, but asked a bigger question: what about everyone else?

FENRAD’s Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, commended Otti for the approval, describing it as a step towards improving workers’ welfare, addressing remuneration disparities and strengthening legislative administration.

He urged the government to extend comparable improvements to teachers, healthcare workers, local government employees, administrative personnel and other public servants.

FENRAD wants transparent implementation from January 2027, proper budgetary provision, periodic reviews, and regular engagement with organised labour and civil society.

Will Abia now set the pace for inclusive pay reform, or will this remain a win for one group only? Workers across the state will be watching the 2027 budget.

#AbiaState #AlexOtti #WorkersRights #CONLESS #NigeriaNews

#FairPay #HumanRights