The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, has given the Federal Government until August 11, 2026 to address the delayed payment of two months’ wage award and the implementation of the approved 40 per cent peculiar allowance for federal public servants.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the union requested an urgent meeting and warned that continued delay could trigger unrest among workers.
The letter was signed by the National Secretary of the council, Gbenga Olowoyo, on behalf of the National Chairman, Benjamin Yanto. The union said two earlier letters sent to the ministry had not received any response.
According to the JNPSNC, the proposed meeting is aimed at finding an amicable resolution to the outstanding welfare issues and preventing what it described as a “brewing industrial crisis.”
The council said its demands focus on two key issues: the implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, and the payment of the outstanding wage award for March and April 2026.
Labour leaders explained that the allowance was approved through a circular signed by the Executive Chairman of the commission, Eyo Nta, with effect from May 1, 2026, but has yet to be implemented across many federal government agencies.
They also argued that the unpaid wage award for March and April should have been paid together with workers’ salaries for those months.
The union recalled that it first wrote to the finance minister on May 5, 2026, requesting payment of the outstanding wage award, and followed up with another letter on July 9, 2026, seeking both payment of the arrears and implementation of the 40 per cent allowance.
Expressing frustration over the lack of response, the JNPSNC said the prolonged silence from the ministry had increased anxiety among federal workers.
The council warned that its latest request should be viewed as a proactive effort to prevent workers from taking drastic industrial actions if the issues remain unresolved.
The JNPSNC is the umbrella negotiating body representing unions across the federal public service on matters relating to salaries, allowances and conditions of service.
The development adds to growing pressure on the Federal Government to fully implement agreements reached with organised labour following the 2023 fuel subsidy removal and the introduction of temporary measures intended to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
The government had introduced a temporary monthly wage award pending the implementation of a new national minimum wage. Although payments were made for several months, labour unions say the March and April 2026 arrears remain unpaid.
They also maintain that many Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have not yet implemented the approved 40 per cent peculiar allowance, leading to fresh agitation among federal workers.
