The Federal Government has agreed to pay workers a monthly transport allowance of N70,000 for six months, beginning in November 2026, as part of measures to cushion the effects of prevailing economic challenges.
The agreement was reached at the end of a conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday in Abuja.
The meeting, convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, was aimed at addressing workers’ welfare concerns following demands by the labour union for improved working conditions and economic relief.
According to a resolution signed by representatives of the Federal Government and labour unions, the transport allowance will be paid to workers across all levels for six months.
“That transport intervention of N70,000 commencing from November 2026, would be paid across all levels for a period of six months,” the resolution stated.
The resolution was signed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi; the Director-General of Budget, Mr Tanimu Yakubu; and the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Garba Abdul.
The NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, and the National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiation Council (JNPSNC), Mr Olowoye Gbenga, signed on behalf of the labour unions.
The meeting also agreed that payment of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears would commence in November 2026, with the outstanding amounts to be settled in three equal monthly instalments.
The resolution noted that the Federal Government had approved the peculiar allowance with effect from May 1, 2026.
Similarly, the parties agreed that 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers would be paid within three months, beginning in December 2026.
On the national minimum wage, the meeting resolved that a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and begin work immediately.
However, the parties disagreed on the effective date for implementing the minimum wage, leaving the issue unresolved.
Regarding tax relief for workers, the meeting agreed that the matter would be referred to the National Executive Council, noting that taxation was a statutory issue.
The resolution also addressed the payment of hazard allowances to agricultural workers, stating that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had submitted the list of beneficiaries and the associated costs to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for verification.
The verification process is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the commission will issue an implementation template.
On the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), the NSIWC is expected to complete an updated cost assessment within three weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to determine the proposed adjustment.
The resolution urged state and local governments to participate in the intervention process and called on labour unions to pursue the implementation of the agreed measures.
Both parties also agreed to reconvene after one month to assess progress in implementing the resolutions.
The agreement comes amid continuing concerns over the cost of living and workers’ purchasing power, with transport costs and other essential expenses remaining key issues in negotiations between the Federal Government and organised labour.
(NAN)
