The Federal Government has agreed to pay public servants ₦70,000 monthly as transport support for six months, with payments scheduled to begin in November 2026.
The decision followed a meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Tuesday, where both sides discussed workers’ welfare, unpaid allowances and the impact of rising living costs.
Beyond the transport benefit, the government approved outstanding peculiar allowance payments dating back to May 1, 2026. The arrears will be paid in three instalments over three months, starting in November.
However, the meeting ended without an agreement on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage, prompting both parties to establish a committee to continue discussions on the matter.
The agreements were recorded in a memorandum of understanding signed by government officials and NLC representatives, including Budget Director-General Timi Yakubu, NLC President Joe Ajaero and Labour and Employment Minister Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.
Speaking after the meeting, NLC Assistant Secretary-General Chris Onyeka said the discussions had produced some progress, although labour had hoped for more favourable outcomes.
“It was productive, but not as we had expected,” he said.
Onyeka acknowledged that reaching agreements often required both sides to make concessions.
“Sometimes you win some, lose some,” he said.
He explained that the committee handling minimum wage negotiations would comprise representatives of the Federal Government, organised labour and employers.
The approved transport allowance will run from November through April 2027. However, the agreement did not state the specific dates on which beneficiaries would receive their payments.
Health workers to receive 19 months of arrears
The government also agreed to clear 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers within three months, beginning in December 2026.
The memorandum stated, “Nineteen (19) Months arrears of allowances for Health Workers to be redeemed within three (3) months with effect from December, 2026.”
Meanwhile, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission is expected to complete a review of the financial implications of a proposed adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) within three weeks.
The findings will guide the Presidential Committee on Salaries in considering the proposed adjustment.
The memorandum stated, “NSIWC promised to complete the update of the cost implication within three (3) weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to take decision on the CONHESS adjustment.”
Agricultural officers await hazard allowance decision
The payment of hazard allowances to agricultural officers is also being considered under the agreement.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of eligible workers and the estimated cost of the payments to the salaries commission for verification.
The memorandum stated, “The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had just submitted the list of beneficiaries and the cost implication to NSIWC which is being verified.”
The verification is expected to take two weeks, after which the commission will issue guidelines for implementing the payments.
“The verification is expected to be completed within two weeks after which the template for implementation would be issued by the NSIWC,” the memorandum stated.
The government has yet to disclose the total amount involved or the number of agricultural officers expected to benefit.
Minimum wage talks to continue
Although the government and labour leaders agreed to begin fresh negotiations immediately, they remain divided over the effective date of the national minimum wage.
The memorandum stated, “It was agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meeting immediately. It should however be noted that there is a disagreement on the effective date of implementation.”
The national minimum wage was raised from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 in 2024 after negotiations between the Federal Government and organised labour, and the new rate was subsequently enacted into law.
The latest meeting did not resolve the outstanding disagreement over the implementation date being discussed by the parties.
Tax relief remains under consideration
The government and the NLC also agreed to refer proposed tax relief for workers to the National Executive Council for further consideration because of the legal implications involved.
The memorandum stated, “Since tax is a statutory matter, the issue of tax relief for workers will be taken to National Executive Council (NEC).”
No details were provided on the proposed relief measures or when the council would consider them.
The agreement also encouraged state and local governments to introduce similar interventions for their workers.
It stated, “State Governments and Local Governments are urged to key into the intervention process. Unions are equally enjoined to push for its implementation.”
The government and labour representatives are expected to meet again after one month to assess progress on the agreed measures.
The review will examine the implementation of the transport allowance, the settlement of outstanding allowances and developments on the issues still awaiting decisions.
The outcome of the negotiations provides some immediate financial relief for public servants, but the actual benefits will depend on the timely implementation of the approved payments and further progress on unresolved demands.
