FG Annouces Payment Date for Newly Approved Workers Allowance
FG Annouces Payment Date for Newly Approved Workers Allowance
The Federal Government has approved a ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public service workers, with payment scheduled to commence in November 2026.
The intervention, which will run for six months, is part of measures agreed upon by the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to cushion the impact of rising transportation costs and economic hardship on Nigerian workers.
The agreement was reached during a conciliation meeting between government representatives and organised labour held at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
According to the memorandum of understanding signed at the meeting, the transport allowance will be paid across all levels for six months, beginning in November.
The resolution stated: “That transport intervention of Seventy Thousand Naira (₦70,000) commencing from November 2026 would be paid across all levels for a period of six months.”
The agreement followed renewed pressure from organised labour over workers’ welfare, the rising cost of living and outstanding agreements between the government and labour unions.
FG Approves Other Outstanding Allowances
Apart from the transport intervention, the Federal Government also approved the payment of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears owed to eligible workers.
The arrears, which take effect from May 1, 2026, will be paid in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.
The government also agreed to settle 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers within three months, starting from December 2026.
Meanwhile, issues surrounding hazard allowances for agricultural officers and the proposed adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) were also discussed during the meeting.
The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission is expected to complete the necessary verification and assessment before further decisions are taken.
Minimum Wage Implementation Still Unresolved
Despite the agreement on transport support and outstanding allowances, the Federal Government and organised labour failed to reach an agreement on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage discussions.
However, both parties agreed to immediately constitute a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee to address the outstanding issues.
The meeting also considered tax relief for workers, with both parties agreeing that the matter should be referred to the National Executive Council because of its statutory implications.
Furthermore, state and local governments were urged to participate in the transport intervention process to extend the benefits to their respective workers.
Although the Federal Government has approved the transport allowance to commence in November 2026, the agreement did not specify the exact payment date or whether the money would be paid alongside workers’ monthly salaries.
The six-month intervention is expected to provide a total of ₦420,000 to an eligible worker if all six monthly payments are made.
However, the agreement does not automatically compel state and local governments to implement the allowance, as they were only urged to key into the intervention.
The Federal Government and the NLC are expected to reconvene after one month to assess the implementation of the resolutions.
The development comes amid growing concerns over transportation costs, rising food prices and the financial difficulties confronting Nigerian workers.
Sources: [Punch Newspaper
