By Oscar Okhifo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received the Shield Award, the highest honour of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), for what the union described as his commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers.
The award was conferred on Tinubu on Monday at Merit House, Abuja, as part of activities marking the 114th anniversary of the union.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), received the award on behalf of the President. Keyamo was also recognised by the union for his solidarity with Nigerian workers.
The NCSU described Tinubu as a “true shield” of the Nigerian worker, citing interventions by his administration which, according to the union, had improved workers’ morale and demonstrated concern for their welfare.
The award was presented by the union’s National President, Comrade Oluwole Sunday, alongside its immediate past president, Comrade Lawrence Amaechi, who chaired the occasion; the Chairman of the Federal Council, Comrade Adoga Gupada; and the Assistant General Secretary, Comrade Yildet Bigwan.
According to the union, the Shield Award is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service and dedication to the advancement of Nigerian workers.
The NCSU has 84 affiliates and traces its history to more than a century ago. It is also associated with the early struggle for workers’ rights in Nigeria, including resistance to colonial labour policies.
Speaking after receiving the award, Keyamo described the recognition as significant, noting that the NCSU was the oldest trade union in Nigeria.
“I got an invitation from the oldest trade union in Nigeria. You don’t understand, the oldest trade union, the trade union that confronted the British colonialists, is still standing on its feet today. That is the union you see here,” he said.
Keyamo said Tinubu had consistently responded to issues concerning workers’ welfare when brought to his attention.
He cited the President’s recent approval for the disbursement of N36 billion to former aviation workers, saying the payment was at its final stage.
The minister also said Tinubu had approved a new salary structure for workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), resolving a relativity dispute he said had lasted more than 15 years.
“As at last week, what we cried to Mr. President for regarding the NiMet workers was an issue of relativity. When I came to office, the NiMet workers were the most poorly paid,” Keyamo said.
He said the President approved the new salary structure after the matter was brought to his attention and directed the release of funds for its implementation.
Keyamo also highlighted Tinubu’s role in the implementation of the new national minimum wage in 2024, noting that the statutory period for reviewing the wage had been reduced from five years to three years.
“Don’t forget that it was when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came to power that he signed a new minimum wage in 2024 and sent it to the National Assembly, and it was implemented,” he said.
He added that negotiations for a new minimum wage would begin in 2027 under the three-year review cycle.
Keyamo said workers’ welfare was also central to his ministry’s approach to the aviation sector, arguing that workers should not be neglected while senior management enjoyed what he described as unnecessary perks.
He, however, acknowledged that the struggle for improved workers’ welfare remained ongoing.
“Like we said in our song, the struggle for our workers will continue,” he said.
The Shield Award was later displayed by Keyamo in his office alongside members of the NCSU leadership.