Abia State is set to introduce a new remuneration arrangement for eligible legislative workers from January 2027, following Governor Alex Otti’s approval of a 25 per cent implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS).
The decision places Abia among the states taking steps to address salary concerns among parliamentary employees and makes it the first state in the South-East to adopt the structure for its legislative workforce, according to the state government.
The approval covers eligible employees of the Abia State House of Assembly and the State House of Assembly Service Commission.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Ukoha, announced the development in a statement on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, explaining that the approval followed recommendations from a committee established to examine the implementation of CONLESS.
The salary framework is designed for legislative workers in the National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly and their respective service commissions. It provides a specialised remuneration arrangement for employees who handle administrative, technical and other essential duties within the legislative system.
Implementation of the structure has remained outstanding in several states despite repeated demands by parliamentary workers for improved salaries and welfare conditions.
With Otti’s approval, eligible Abia Assembly employees are expected to begin benefiting from the new arrangement in January.
The state government said the decision reflects its commitment to improving workers’ welfare, promoting fairness and strengthening democratic institutions.
However, the announcement has left some important details unanswered. The government has not disclosed the number of workers expected to benefit, the full breakdown of the revised salary scale or the total financial implications of the adjustment for the state.
Further implementation guidelines are expected to provide clarity on how the approved 25 per cent adjustment will be applied to the affected employees.
The development has also drawn attention to the wider question of salary disparities across the public service, particularly among workers in different government institutions.
Reacting to the approval, the Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) commended the governor but urged him to extend similar welfare improvements to other categories of public servants.
The organisation’s Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, specifically called for better remuneration for teachers, healthcare professionals, local government employees and administrative personnel.
FENRAD acknowledged that legislative workers operate under a distinct salary framework but argued that other public servants should not be left out of government efforts to improve working conditions.
It also called for transparent implementation, adequate budgetary provisions, regular salary reviews and continued engagement with organised labour and civil society organisations.
The organisation maintained that workers’ welfare should remain an important measure of good governance, alongside infrastructure development and other government projects.
For the Otti administration, the January 2027 commencement date will be the next major test of the announcement, particularly as workers await details of how the new structure will affect their earnings.