FG approves ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public workers

The Federal Government has approved a ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention for public service workers across all levels to cushion the economic impact of rising living costs. The six-month financial support initiative is scheduled to commence in November 2026.

The resolution was reached during a conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Tuesday. The session followed pressure from organised labour concerning workers’ welfare and an earlier meeting held on October 22.

The government also approved the payment of peculiar allowance arrears effective from May 1, 2026. These outstanding entitlements will be disbursed in three equal monthly installments, also beginning in November.

Despite the progress on allowances, both parties failed to agree on an effective date for the implementation of the new national minimum wage. The statutory minimum wage was increased from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 earlier this year and enacted into law through the National Minimum Wage Act.

“That transport intervention of Seventy Thousand Naira (₦70,000) commencing from November 2026 would be paid across all levels for a period of six months. It was agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meeting immediately. It should however be noted that there is a disagreement on the effective date of implementation.”

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, and the NLC President, Joe Ajaero. Other official signatories included the Director-General of Budget, Timi Yakubu, and the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office, Dr Garba Abdul S.U.

The document also mentioned ongoing discussions concerning health workers’ remuneration, tax relief, and hazard allowances for agricultural officers.

Against the backdrop of the economic fallout from the May 2023 petrol subsidy removal, the NLC leadership officially registered its displeasure with the government’s attitude at the negotiation table.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government stated in the agreement that it respects the union’s right to demand better working conditions, adding that it is working to resolve all grievances through structured interventions.