Organised labour in the federal public service has given the Federal Government a Friday, February 27, 2026 deadline to release funds needed to settle three months of unpaid wage awards and other pending allowances owed to workers in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
The leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union Side) said in a letter to the government on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.
Labour leaders said the dispute over the wage award has persisted for more than two years, dating back to the approval of a ₦70,000 minimum wage following the removal of the fuel subsidy. The wage award was intended to be a cushioning measure during the transition to the new minimum wage.
The unions said that while partial payments were made after sustained pressure, three months remained unpaid since July 2024, contributing to growing tension within the federal workforce.
In the letter addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the unions said the wage award obligation has “dragged on for over two years” since the minimum wage was approved.
They noted that the award was to continue until the implementation of the new wage in July 2024.
The unions said all relevant government agencies responsible for processing payments were prepared to make the payments but were constrained by the non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance.
Beyond the wage award arrears, the unions listed other outstanding obligations.
These include promotion arrears for workers promoted more than three years ago, salary arrears for employees recruited between 2015 and 2024, and the accurate payment of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance based on the ₦70,000 minimum wage.
The unions warned that if the funds meant for the payment of the wage award were not released on or before Friday, February 27, 2026, the national leadership of the groups would take appropriate action to address the outstanding payments.
The unions said workers’ entitlements should not be treated lightly and that employees should not be made to endure undue hardship as a result of delayed payments.
Copies of the letter were also forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, security agencies, and affiliate unions for urgent attention and necessary action.
