FG Approves Monthly Transport Allowance for Workers 

The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached an agreement on measures to ease the economic hardship facing workers, including a ₦70,000 transport intervention and the payment of 19 months of 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 discussions focused on concerns raised by the NLC over the rising cost of living, implementation of the national minimum wage, petrol prices, workers’ welfare and unpaid 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, Special Welfare Office, in the 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 National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Olowoyo Gbenga.

Under the agreement, the Federal Government will provide a ₦70,000 transport intervention for workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026.

The government also approved a peculiar allowance with effect from May 1, 2026. Payment of the outstanding arrears is expected to commence in November and will be made in three equal monthly instalments.

In addition, the 19 months of unpaid allowances owed to health workers will be settled within three months, beginning in December 2026.

The meeting also resolved that a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted immediately to begin work.

However, the Federal Government and the NLC remained divided over the effective date for implementing the new minimum wage.

On tax relief for workers, the parties agreed to refer the matter 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 process is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the commission will issue an implementation template.

Similarly, the commission is expected to complete an updated assessment of the financial implications of the proposed adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) within three weeks.

The assessment will provide the basis for the Presidential Committee on Salaries to make a decision on the proposed adjustment.

The Federal Government and the NLC also 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 assess progress in implementing the resolutions.