The Federal Government has directed that the outstanding two-month wage award owed to federal civil servants be paid on or before August 15, 2026, following a crucial meeting between the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC).
The resolution was reached after intensive discussions held in Abuja, effectively preventing a planned industrial action by organised labour. The JNPSNC subsequently suspended the August 11 ultimatum it had earlier issued to the Ministry of Finance over unresolved welfare concerns affecting federal workers.
The meeting, chaired by Minister Oyedele, brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, including the Permanent Secretaries for Accounts and Special Duties, the Minister’s Chief of Staff, directors, special advisers, and other top government officials.
Representing organised labour was Comrade Kabiru Ado, National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) and National Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who stood in for the National Chairman of the JNPSNC.
Also present were the National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga, the National Assistant Secretary of the council and General Secretary of MHWUN, Comrade Kiyawa, alongside other labour leaders.
Following the meeting, both parties agreed that the outstanding wage award would be settled no later than August 15, bringing relief to thousands of federal civil servants awaiting payment.
Beyond the wage award, the Minister assured labour representatives that the Federal Government would also facilitate the payment of the long-awaited 40 percent peculiar allowance through a supplementary budget.
According to the agreement reached, the Ministry of Finance will collaborate with the Budget Office to secure the necessary funding required to implement the allowance.
The meeting also addressed the issue of outstanding promotion arrears. Government officials informed labour leaders that the payment process for batches seven and nine had now been resolved, paving the way for affected workers to receive their entitlements.
Speaking during the meeting, Minister Oyedele stressed the importance of sustained dialogue between the government and organised labour. He said regular engagement would help strengthen industrial harmony, improve relationships with union leaders, and ensure workers’ welfare issues are resolved promptly.
On behalf of the JNPSNC leadership, Comrade Kabiru Ado reaffirmed the council’s commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of public servants.
He maintained that the council would continue to defend workers’ interests and ensure that their welfare was never undermined.
The National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga, explained that the intervention of the union leadership was intended to prevent an industrial crisis and avoid unnecessary disruption within the public service.
According to him, workers had become increasingly frustrated and were prepared to stage a spontaneous occupation of the Minister of Finance’s office before the meeting was convened.
Following the successful negotiations, Gbenga announced the suspension of the August 11 ultimatum issued to the Federal Government.
He noted that the decision was based on the commitments made by the government during the meeting, particularly the promise to pay the outstanding wage award and address other pending welfare matters.
However, he cautioned that organised labour would closely monitor the implementation of every agreement reached, warning that the unions expected the government to honour its commitments within the agreed timelines.
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