… Minimum Wage Negotiations to Begin Immediately as FG Plans Payment of Allowance Arrears
The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have agreed on a six-month transport intervention of ₦70,000 for workers across all levels, alongside a phased payment of outstanding allowances, following conciliation meetings between both parties in Abuja.
The agreement, reached at meetings held on October 22 and 27, 2026, also provides for the immediate constitution of a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee, although the government and labour leaders remain divided over the effective date for implementing the proposed minimum wage arrangements.
The meetings were convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in response to concerns raised by the NLC’s Central Working Committee and National Executive Council.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, chaired the meetings, while the NLC delegation was led by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Annah Daniel, the transport intervention will commence in November 2026 and continue for six months.
The Federal Government also approved the payment of peculiar allowances with effect from May 1, 2026 while arrears arising from the approval are expected to be paid in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.
In another measure aimed at addressing outstanding entitlements, the government agreed to redeem 19 months of allowance arrears owed to health workers within three months, beginning in December 2026.
The conciliation meeting also addressed the payment of hazard allowances to agricultural workers and the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of eligible beneficiaries and the associated costs for verification by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
The commission is expected to complete the verification within two weeks, after which it will issue an implementation template.
On CONHESS, the commission is to complete an updated assessment of the financial implications within three weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to make a decision on the adjustment.
The demand for tax relief for workers was also discussed, but the parties agreed that the matter should be referred to the National Executive Council for consideration, as taxation is governed by statute.
The Federal Government and the NLC further urged state and local governments to participate in the intervention process, while labour unions were encouraged to pursue implementation at their respective levels.
Both parties agreed to reconvene in one month to assess progress in implementing the resolutions, setting the stage for further engagement on workers’ welfare and outstanding labour demands.
Other officials at the meetings included the Director-General of Budget, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu; the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Garba Abdul S.U.; and the National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga.
