By Forum staff writer
The Chairman of the Wages and Compensation Commission, Alhaji Alpha Osman Timbo Esq, has outlined the legal mandate and core functions of the Commission, describing them as central to restoring order, equity, and transparency in public sector pay administration. He made these remarks during a press conference held at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on Tuesday 10 February 2026.
According to Alhaji Timbo, the Commission’s responsibilities are clearly defined in law and were established to correct weaknesses in previous pay systems that failed to fully apply existing regulations. These failures, he said, resulted in wide inconsistencies and disparities in salaries and benefits across public institutions.
He explained that one of the most critical duties of the Commission is to develop and implement a structured mechanism for determining emoluments, remuneration, and other conditions of service, including pensions and gratuities, for all public service employees. This mechanism is intended to ensure fairness and consistency across the public sector while taking into account the nature and value of different roles.
The Chairman noted that the Commission is also mandated to regularly assess and review the public sector pay system to promote equity and competitiveness. He stressed that this is not a one time exercise but an ongoing process. Continuous evaluation, he said, is necessary to ensure that salary structures remain fair and reflect performance, responsibilities, and prevailing market conditions across various categories of public servants.
Another key responsibility highlighted by Alhaji Timbo is the monitoring of collective bargaining agreements. These agreements, negotiated between worker representatives and the government, determine the terms and conditions of service for public sector employees. The Commission, he said, ensures that such agreements align with national policy objectives, fiscal sustainability, and equitable treatment across institutions.
He further explained that the Commission conducts job evaluation, grading, and classification across all public service institutions, including the civil service, teaching service, police, and military. The goal of this process is to ensure that jobs of equal value receive comparable compensation, regardless of the sector in which they are performed. This approach, he said, promotes fairness and reduces long standing disparities.
In addition, the Commission undertakes market research to help the public service attract and retain skilled professionals. While acknowledging that salaries may differ across sectors, Alhaji Timbo emphasized that compensation must remain competitive enough to prevent the loss of talent and to support effective service delivery.
Beyond its operational role, the Commission also advises the government on all policy matters related to emoluments and compensation, supporting informed decision making at the highest level.
He drew attention to Section 13 subsection 3 of the Wages and Compensation Commission Act, which grants the Commission exclusive authority to certify payment of all public sector funds. This provision, he said, allows the Commission to approve interim payment structures when full salary harmonization cannot be immediately implemented due to fiscal constraints.
Alhaji Timbo concluded that the Commission’s comprehensive mandate provides the foundation for a fair, disciplined, and sustainable public sector pay system, offering clarity and confidence to public servants as reforms continue.
