Organised labour in the federal public service has issued a Friday deadline to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate release of funds to settle three months’ outstanding wage awards and other pending allowances owed to workers.
The leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union Side) conveyed the ultimatum in a letter addressed to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, warning that failure to meet the February 27, 2026 deadline would compel the eight unions in the civil service to take decisive action.
The wage award dispute has lingered for over two years following the Federal Government’s approval of a N70,000 minimum wage after the removal of fuel subsidy.
According to the unions, although partial payments were made after sustained pressure, three months of the wage award remain unpaid since July 2024, heightening tension among federal workers.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the council stated:
“This wage award has dragged on for over two years now since the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage payment was approved.”
The unions explained that the wage award was introduced as a cushioning measure after subsidy removal and was expected to run until the commencement of the new minimum wage implementation in July 2024.
“It is beyond the imagination and expectations of federal workers that the Federal Government left five months unpaid ab initio; not until there was much pressure did the Federal Government effect the staggered payment of two months, leaving the balance of three months since July 2024 unpaid,” the letter added.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council alleged that relevant government agencies are ready to process the payments but are unable to do so because funds have not been released by the Ministry of Finance.
“Available information revealed that all government agencies responsible for the payment of the wage award are ready to pay, but this is subject to the release of funds by the Honourable Minister of Finance, who is deliberately holding back the money,” the unions stated.
Beyond the wage award arrears, the unions also highlighted other unresolved issues, including:
Promotion arrears for workers elevated more than three years ago
Salary arrears for employees recruited between 2015 and 2024
Proper implementation of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance based on the N70,000 minimum wage
Threat of Industrial Action
Warning of possible industrial action, the unions declared:
“If the money meant for the payment of the wage award is not released on or before Friday, 27th February, 2026, the national leadership will take the bull by the horn and ensure appropriate actions are taken.”
Copies of the letter were forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), among others, for urgent attention.
The unions maintained that workers’ entitlements must not be treated with levity and urged the government to act swiftly to prevent further hardship among federal employees.