FG Approves ₦70,000 Monthly Transport Support for Workers for Six Months
The Federal Government has approved a monthly transport support of ₦70,000 for public service workers for six months, beginning in November 2026, following a fresh agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The decision was reached at a conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and NLC leadership in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, amid disagreements over workers’ welfare, rising living costs and outstanding labour demands.
The agreement provides for the payment of the transport intervention across public service levels for six months. However, the memorandum of understanding did not specify the exact dates for monthly disbursements or explain the administrative arrangements for the payments.
The resolutions were contained in a memorandum of understanding signed by representatives of the Federal Government and organised labour at the end of the meeting.
Those who signed the document included NLC President Joe Ajaero, Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Budget Office Director-General Timi Yakubu and Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office, Dr Garba Abdul S.U.
FG Agrees to Pay Outstanding Allowances
Beyond the transport intervention, the Federal Government agreed to begin paying outstanding peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026, in three equal monthly instalments starting in November.
The meeting also addressed outstanding allowances owed to health workers, with the parties agreeing that 19 months of arrears would be settled within three months beginning in December 2026.
On hazard allowances for agricultural officers, the meeting noted that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had submitted the list of beneficiaries and the cost implications to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for verification.
The verification is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which an implementation template will be issued.
The commission also committed to completing an update of the cost implications of adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) within three weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to make a decision.
Minimum Wage Disagreement Persists
Despite the agreements, the Federal Government and organised labour did not resolve their disagreement over the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage.
Both parties agreed to constitute a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee and begin meetings immediately. However, they remained divided on when implementation should take effect.
The disagreement comes amid labour’s demands for immediate negotiations on a new minimum wage, improved workers’ welfare and measures to ease the impact of rising living costs.
The NLC has also pressed for a reduction in petrol prices and tax relief for workers.
On tax relief, the meeting agreed that the issue should be referred to the National Economic Council for consideration, noting that taxation is a statutory matter.
Government, Labour to Review Progress
The conciliation meeting followed an earlier session on October 22, which failed to resolve the outstanding issues between the government and organised labour.
The latest agreement outlines financial interventions and steps towards addressing some of the demands raised by workers, although several issues remain subject to further negotiations, verification and implementation.
The Federal Government and the NLC also urged state and local governments to participate in the intervention process, while unions were encouraged to pursue implementation.
Both parties agreed to reconvene after one month to review progress on the resolutions.
The extent to which the agreement will ease workers’ financial pressures will depend on the implementation of the approved payments and the resolution of the outstanding disputes.
