The Federal Government has approved a temporary monthly transport allowance of ₦70,000 for public service workers across all grade levels for six months, commencing in November 2026.
The breakthrough resolution was reached during a conciliation meeting between federal government representatives and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday in Abuja, aimed at addressing rising transportation costs and broader worker welfare demands. Under the intervention package, which runs from November 2026 through April 2027, each beneficiary employee will receive a cumulative support total of ₦420,000.
The formal memorandum of understanding was signed on behalf of the government by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu; and the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office, Dr Garba Abdul. Representing organised labour were NLC President Joe Ajaero and the National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Olowoyo Gbenga.
Beyond transport support, the agreement resolved several outstanding welfare disputes. The Federal Government approved the payment of peculiar allowance arrears with effect from 1 May 2026, scheduled for disbursement in three equal monthly instalments starting in November.
Additionally, 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) will be liquidated over a three-month period beginning December 2026. Proposals for agricultural hazard allowances and worker tax reliefs were referred to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the National Economic Council, respectively.
Both parties urged sub-national governments to adopt similar relief interventions for state and local government workers, agreeing to reconvene in one month to review the progress of implementation. Meanwhile, the effective date for the implementation of the new national minimum wage remains under active deliberation by the newly constituted Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee.
