President Muhammadu Buhari has okayed the increment of daily tour allowances for ministers, permanent secretaries and federal civil servants at a time the nation’s debt payment has surpassed its revenue earnings.

The increment was conveyed in a circular signed by Ekpo U.A Nta, chairman of National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on August 31.

“The president of the federal republic of Nigeria has approved the upward review of duty tour allowances applicable to Permanent Secretary/Equivalent from N20,0000 to N70,000, and to minister/SGF/HCSF/Equivalent from N35,000 to N80,000,” Mr Nta wrote.

“All enquiries relating to this circular should be directed to the commission.”

Civil servants working for the federal government from grade level one to 17 would also benefit from the increment, the circular stated.

Below is an analysis detailing how civil servants on various grade levels would profit from the development;

“GL 01 — 04 and its equivalent – N10,000 per diem

GL. 0S — 06 and its equivalent – N15,000 per diem

GL. 07-10 and its equivalent – N17,500 per diem

GL. 12 – 13 and its equivalent – N20,000 per diem

GL. 14-15 and its equivalent – N25,000 per diem

GL. 16 — 17 and its equivalent – N37,500 per diem

Permanent Secretary/Equivalent – N70,000 per diem

Minister/SGF/HCSF/Equivalent – N80,000 per diem”

The news was received with mixed reactions. While beneficiaries of the increment jubilated over the news, critics of the regime berated Mr Buhari for squandering the nation’s insufficient resources on non-priority matters.

Some online commenters justified the six-month Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, admonishing lecturers not to back down till government met their demands. They argued Mr Buhari’s upward review of duty tour allowances for ministers and civil servants meant the regime was buoyant enough to pay the striking lecturers.