Otti Approves New Salary Structure for Abia Assembly Workers

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has approved the implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for eligible workers of the Abia State House of Assembly and the State House of Assembly Service Commission.

The approval provides for a 25 per cent CONLESS implementation and will take effect from January 2027. With the decision, Abia becomes the first state in the South-East to adopt the salary structure for parliamentary workers, according to the state government.

The development was announced on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha.

According to the statement, the approval followed recommendations submitted by the Committee on CONLESS, which examined issues surrounding the implementation of the salary structure for legislative employees.

CONLESS is a specialised remuneration framework designed for workers in legislative institutions, including the National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly and their respective service commissions.

Its implementation is intended to improve the remuneration and working conditions of parliamentary employees, who provide administrative, technical and other essential services that support legislative operations.

The Abia State Government noted that the adoption of the salary structure had remained outstanding in several states despite sustained demands by legislative workers for improved salaries and welfare packages.

Under the new arrangement, eligible employees of the state assembly and its service commission are expected to benefit from the approved adjustment beginning in January.

The government described the decision as part of Otti’s commitment to workers’ welfare, fairness and the strengthening of democratic institutions in the state.

The approval also comes amid broader discussions about improving public-sector remuneration and addressing the rising cost of living facing Nigerian workers.

However, the government has not released a detailed breakdown of the revised salary scale, the total number of workers expected to benefit or the overall financial implications of the implementation.

Further administrative details are expected to clarify the application of the new structure to eligible legislative employees.

The implementation is scheduled to commence in January 2027.