By Desire Uzochukwu
The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached an agreement on a ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention for six months and 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, October 27, 2026, following an earlier meeting on October 22.
The talks addressed labour concerns over the rising cost of living, implementation of the National Minimum Wage, petroleum prices, workers’ welfare and outstanding allowances.
Under the agreement, the government will provide a ₦70,000 transport intervention across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026.
The government also approved the peculiar allowance with effect from May 1, 2026, with payment of arrears scheduled to begin in November in three equal monthly instalments.
Similarly, the 19 months’ outstanding allowances owed to health workers are to be paid within three months, beginning in December 2026.
The meeting further agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence work immediately. However, the parties remained divided over the effective date for implementing the new minimum wage.
On tax relief for workers, the meeting resolved that the issue should be referred to the National Executive Council, noting that taxation was a statutory matter.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of beneficiaries and cost implications of the proposed hazard allowance for agricultural officers to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for verification.
The verification is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the commission will issue an implementation template.
The NSIWC is also expected to complete an updated assessment of the cost implications of the proposed Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment within three weeks. The assessment will guide the Presidential Committee on Salaries in taking a decision.
The Federal Government and NLC urged state and local governments to participate in the intervention process and implement the agreed measures.
Both parties agreed to reconvene after one month to review implementation of the resolutions.
The agreement was signed for the Federal Government by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; Timi Yakubu, Director-General, Budget; Dr Garba Abdul S. U., Permanent Secretary (SWO), Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; and, for the NLC, its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
Olowoyo Gbenga, National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiation Council (JNPSNC), signed on behalf of the council.
