The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached an agreement on measures to cushion the impact of rising living costs on workers, including a ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention for six months and the payment of 19 months’ outstanding allowances owed to health workers.
The resolutions were reached at a conciliation meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Tuesday, following an earlier meeting convened on October 22.
The meetings were organised to address concerns raised by the NLC over the rising cost of living, implementation of the National Minimum Wage, rising petrol prices, workers’ welfare and outstanding allowances.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; the Director-General of Budget, Timi Yakubu; and the Permanent Secretary (SWO), Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Garba Abdul S. U.
The NLC was represented by its President, Joe Ajaero, and the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga.
Under the agreement, the Federal Government will provide a ₦70,000 transport intervention across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026.
The government also approved the payment of peculiar allowances with effect from May 1, 2026. The payment of the resulting arrears is expected to commence in November and will be made in three equal monthly instalments.
Similarly, the 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers are to be paid within three months, beginning in December 2026.
The meeting further agreed that a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted immediately to commence work on the next steps in the wage negotiation process.
However, the Federal Government and labour representatives remained divided over the effective date for implementing the new minimum wage.
On tax relief for workers, the meeting resolved that the matter would be referred to the National Executive Council, noting that taxation is a statutory issue.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of beneficiaries and the cost implications of the proposed hazard allowance for agricultural officers to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for verification.
The verification exercise is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the commission will issue an implementation template for the proposed allowance.
