President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been honoured with the Shield Award by the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) for his contribution to workers’ welfare.

The award, the union’s highest honour, was presented on Monday during activities marking the NCSU’s 114th anniversary at Merit House in Abuja.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, received the award on Tinubu’s behalf. Keyamo was also recognised by the union for his solidarity with Nigerian workers.

According to Channels Television, NCSU National President, Oluwole Sunday, described Tinubu as a “shield” of Nigerian workers, citing government interventions which he said had improved workers’ welfare and morale within the civil service.

Keyamo said Tinubu had responded to requests concerning workers’ welfare, citing the approval of N36 billion for former aviation workers and a new salary structure for employees of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

The minister said the NiMet salary issue, which he described as a relativity dispute that had lasted for more than 15 years, had recently been addressed following the President’s approval.

New minimum wage review due in 2027

Keyamo also said negotiations for a new national minimum wage would begin in 2027.

He recalled that Tinubu signed the National Minimum Wage Act 2024 into law and that the statutory review period was reduced from five years to three years.

According to Keyamo, the three-year cycle means a review and negotiations for a new minimum wage are due in 2027.

The minister said workers’ welfare remained an ongoing priority, adding that the government’s efforts in the aviation sector also included addressing concerns over employees’ pay and conditions.

The NCSU has 84 affiliates and traces its history back more than a century. The union says its Shield Award is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service and dedication to Nigerian workers.