The Federal Government has directed directed that the outstanding two-month wage award owed to federal civil servants be paid on or before August 15, 2026, Vanguard reports.
The decision followed a high-level meeting on Wednesday between the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, and the leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC).
The agreement effectively averted a planned labour confrontation after the JNPSNC suspended the August 11 ultimatum it had issued to the Minister’s office over unresolved workers’ welfare issues.
The meeting, held on August 5, was chaired by Oyedele and attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, including the Permanent Secretary (Accounts), the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), the Chief of Staff to the Minister, directors and special advisers.
The labour delegation was led by 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 represented the National Chairman of the JNPSNC, Benjamin Anto Uyanto.
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 JNPSNC and General Secretary of MHWUN, Comrade Kiyawa; and other labour leaders.
After extensive deliberations, both parties agreed that the outstanding wage award would be settled on or before August 15.
Oyedele also assured labour leaders that the Federal Government would facilitate payment of the long-awaited 40 per cent peculiar allowance through a supplementary budget.
Under the resolution reached at the meeting, the Ministry of Finance will work with the Budget Office to secure the necessary funding for the allowance.
The issue of outstanding promotion arrears was also discussed, with the government confirming that payment processes for batches seven and nine had been resolved.
Speaking during the meeting, the Minister stressed the importance of sustained engagement with organised labour to maintain cordial working relations and ensure prompt resolution of workers’ welfare matters.
Earlier, Ado reaffirmed the council’s commitment to protecting workers’ interests, saying the JNPSNC remained ready to ensure that workers’ welfare was not undermined.
In his remarks, Olowoyo said the intervention by the union leadership was intended to prevent an industrial crisis.
He noted that workers had been prepared to stage a protest at the Minister’s office, adding that the union acted to avoid embarrassment for the Federal Government.
He urged government officials and agencies to implement agreements reached with workers and maintain effective communication with labour unions to avoid misunderstandings.
Olowoyo explained that the ultimatum was issued because the Minister’s office had failed to respond to several correspondences from the union.
Speaking after the meeting, he announced that the August 11 ultimatum had been suspended following the agreements reached with the government.
However, he warned that organised labour would closely monitor implementation of the resolutions and would not hesitate to resume industrial action if the agreements were not honoured.
