FG Orders Payment of Outstanding Two-Month Wage Award to Civil Servants by August 15, Averts Planned Labour Showdown

The Federal Government has directed that the outstanding two-month wage award owed to federal civil servants be paid on or before August 15, 2026, following a crucial meeting with organised labour that also averted a planned industrial action.

The resolution was reached on Wednesday during a high-level meeting between the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC).

As part of the agreement, the JNPSNC suspended its August 11 ultimatum to the Minister’s office, ending immediate threats of protests over unresolved workers’ welfare issues.

The meeting, held on August 5, was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, including the Permanent Secretary (Accounts), the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), the Minister’s Chief of Staff, directors and special advisers.

The labour delegation was led by the National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) and National Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kabiru Ado, who represented the National Chairman of the JNPSNC, Benjamin Anto Uyanto.

Also in attendance were the National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga; the National Assistant Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of MHWUN, Comrade Kiyawa; alongside other labour leaders.

After extensive deliberations, both parties agreed that the outstanding wage award would be paid on or before August 15.

Beyond the wage award, Oyedele assured labour leaders that the Federal Government would facilitate payment of the long-awaited 40 per cent peculiar allowance through a supplementary budget. He said the Ministry of Finance would work with the Budget Office to secure the required funding.

The government also disclosed that issues delaying the payment of outstanding promotion arrears for batches seven and nine had been resolved, paving the way for the affected workers to receive their entitlements.

Speaking during the meeting, Oyedele stressed the importance of sustained engagement between the government and organised labour, noting that continuous dialogue remains critical to maintaining industrial harmony and addressing workers’ welfare concerns.

Earlier, Ado reaffirmed the council’s commitment to protecting the interests of public servants, saying the JNPSNC would continue to ensure that workers’ welfare receives the attention it deserves.

On his part, Olowoyo revealed that workers had been preparing to stage a protest at the Ministry of Finance before the intervention of union leaders.

He explained that the ultimatum was issued after repeated letters to the Minister’s office went unanswered, adding that the union opted for dialogue to prevent an industrial crisis and avoid embarrassing the Federal Government.

Following the meeting, Olowoyo announced the suspension of the August 11 ultimatum but warned that organised labour would closely monitor the implementation of the agreements.

He cautioned that the unions would not hesitate to resume industrial action if the Federal Government failed to fulfil its commitments within the agreed timeline.