Abia Approves 25% CONLESS Salary Structure for Legislative Workers From January 2027

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has approved the implementation of a 25 per cent Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for eligible workers of the state House of Assembly and the House of Assembly Service Commission.

The new salary arrangement is expected to take effect in January 2027, making Abia the first state in the South-East to approve the implementation of CONLESS for parliamentary workers, according to the state government.

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

The statement disclosed that Otti approved the measure following recommendations from a committee set up to examine issues surrounding the implementation of the specialised salary structure for legislative employees.

CONLESS is a remuneration framework designed for workers in legislative institutions, including the National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly and their respective service commissions. Its implementation is aimed at addressing salary concerns and improving the welfare of parliamentary employees.

The state government noted that the salary structure had remained unimplemented in several states despite persistent demands from legislative workers for improved remuneration and better working conditions.

With the approval, eligible employees of the Abia State House of Assembly and its Service Commission are expected to benefit from the new arrangement when it takes effect in January 2027.

The government described the decision as part of Otti’s commitment to workers’ welfare, fairness and the strengthening of democratic institutions. However, it did not disclose the number of beneficiaries, the detailed salary breakdown or the financial implications of the implementation.

Further details on the implementation guidelines are expected to clarify the specific benefits and how the approved structure will apply to eligible employees.