The Federal Government has approved a ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention for workers across all levels of the public service for six months, beginning in November 2026, following an agreement with organised labour over rising living costs and outstanding workers’ welfare demands.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
The agreement was reached at a meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Under the resolutions, workers will receive the ₦70,000 transport support monthly for six months, while payment of arrears of the approved peculiar allowance will also commence in November and be completed in three equal monthly instalments.
The meeting further agreed that the National Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted immediately and commence work, although the Federal Government and organised labour have yet to agree on the effective date for implementing the outcome of the negotiations.
The meeting, convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, followed an earlier round of talks on October 22 to address concerns raised by organised labour.
Those who signed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government included the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu; the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Garba Abdul S.U.; and Dingyadi, who served as conciliator.
The labour delegation was represented by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo.
On the transport intervention, the agreement stated: “That transport intervention of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000) commencing from November 2026 would be paid across all levels for a period of six months.”
The Federal Government also confirmed that the peculiar allowance had been approved with effect from May 1, 2026, with payment of outstanding arrears scheduled to commence in November.
“The peculiar allowance has been approved by the Federal Government effective from 1 May 2026. The payment of the arrears would commence in November, 2026 in three equal monthly instalments,” the resolution stated.
The parties further agreed that 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers would be cleared within three months, beginning in December 2026.
“Nineteen (19) months arrears of allowances for Health Workers to be redeemed within three (3) months with effect from December, 2026,” the agreement stated.
On the demand for hazard allowance for agricultural officers, the meeting noted that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had submitted the list of beneficiaries and the associated financial implications to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for verification.
The verification is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the commission will issue an implementation template.
Regarding the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, the NSIWC is expected to update the financial implications within three weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to take a decision.
The demand for tax relief for workers was referred to the NLC’s National Executive Council, with the meeting noting that taxation remained a statutory matter.
The parties also urged state and local governments to participate in the intervention process and called on labour unions to press for the implementation of the resolutions.
On the proposed minimum wage negotiations, the agreement stated: “It was agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and to commence meeting immediately. It should, however, be noted that there is a disagreement on the effective date of implementation.”
The development means negotiations on a new minimum wage are expected to commence once the committee is constituted, although the government and organised labour have not resolved when any new wage arising from the negotiations would take effect.
Both parties also agreed to reconvene after one month to assess the implementation of the resolutions.
“Both parties to reconvene after a period of one month to appraise the level of implementation of the resolution,” the agreement stated.
The key resolutions therefore cover the ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention, payment of peculiar allowance arrears, settlement of outstanding allowances owed to health workers, review of agricultural officers’ hazard allowance, consideration of adjustments to CONHESS and the commencement of fresh minimum wage negotiations.
The ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention will run for six months from November, while peculiar allowance arrears will be paid in three equal instalments beginning the same month.
The 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers are expected to be cleared within three months from December, while the verification of agricultural officers’ hazard allowance is expected to be completed within two weeks.
The government is also expected to update the cost implications of the proposed CONHESS adjustment within three weeks.
The agreement followed pressure from organised labour after the NLC issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government on October 9, demanding the commencement of negotiations on a new national minimum wage, a reduction in petrol pump prices, palliatives for workers and the resolution of outstanding public service welfare issues.
The ultimatum expired on October 22 without a breakthrough, prompting organised labour to set October 27 as a fresh deadline for meaningful progress.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
