Labour unions within the federal public service have issued a firm deadline to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate release of funds to settle unpaid wages and allowances.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union Side), which represents 8 civil service unions, notified the Ministry of Labour and Employment that all outstanding payments must be cleared by February 27, 2026.
According to the unions, federal workers are owed three months of wage awards and other allowances across various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, (MDAs). They warned that failure to meet the deadline would leave them with no choice but to take necessary action to recover the outstanding payments.
The unions accused the Government of withholding funds already approved for disbursement, noting that while partial payments were made after mounting pressure, three months of arrears have remained unpaid since July 2024.
The dispute follows the Federal Government’s approval of a ₦70,000 minimum wage after the removal of fuel subsidies, with workers expecting prompt implementation. However, several issues remain unresolved.
Beyond the unpaid wage awards, the unions also highlighted outstanding promotion arrears for staff elevated over three years ago, unpaid salaries for employees recruited between 2015 and 2024, and concerns over the full implementation of the 40% peculiar allowance tied to the new minimum wage.
The unions maintained that federal workers should not be subjected to hardship due to delayed payments, insisting that all entitlements must be honoured without further delay.
Copies of the letter were forwarded to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, security agencies, and affiliated unions.
