FG approves ₦70,000 monthly transport support for public servants for six months

The Federal Government has approved a monthly transport support of ₦70,000 for public service workers for six months, beginning in November 2026, following negotiations with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over workers’ welfare and the rising cost of living.

The intervention will begin in November 2026 following an agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress, while talks on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage remain unresolved.

The agreement was reached on Tuesday, October 27, during a conciliation meeting between government representatives and organised labour in Abuja.

The intervention is intended to help cushion the impact of rising transportation costs on workers. However, the agreement does not specify the exact dates for monthly payments or provide details of the administrative arrangements for disbursement.

The resolutions were contained in a memorandum of understanding signed by the Director-General of Budget, Timi Yakubu; NLC President, Joe Ajaero; the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Garba Abdul S.U.; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.

The meeting followed renewed pressure from organised labour over workers’ welfare, outstanding agreements and the cost of living.

Beyond the transport intervention, the government approved the payment of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026.

According to the agreement, the arrears will be paid in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November. The memorandum did not state the total amount involved or provide a breakdown of individual payments.

The government also agreed to clear 19 months of outstanding allowances for health workers within three months, beginning in December 2026.

On hazard allowances for agricultural officers, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had submitted the list of beneficiaries and the associated costs to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for verification. The verification is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which an implementation template will be issued.

The meeting also addressed a proposed adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS). The salaries commission is expected to complete an updated assessment of the cost implications within three weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to consider the matter.

Despite the agreements on transport support and outstanding allowances, the government and the NLC did not reach an agreement on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage.

The parties agreed to constitute a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee and begin meetings immediately to address the outstanding issue.

The memorandum also stated that the question of tax relief for workers would be referred to the National Executive Council because taxation is a statutory matter.

State and local governments were urged to participate in the intervention process, while unions were encouraged to press for implementation within their respective jurisdictions. The government and labour representatives also agreed to reconvene after one month to review progress on the resolutions.

The agreement comes amid continuing concerns about workers’ purchasing power as transportation, food and other household expenses put pressure on incomes.

While the six-month transport intervention provides a temporary measure of support for public servants, its impact will depend on the timely implementation of the agreement. Several other welfare issues, including minimum wage negotiations and the verification of outstanding allowances, remain subject to further action.