The Federal Government has agreed to pay Nigerian workers a transport allowance of N70,000 monthly for six months, beginning in November 2026, as part of measures to cushion the effects of prevailing economic challenges.
The agreement was reached at a conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), held at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Tuesday, October 27.
According to the resolutions reached at the meeting, the government also approved the payment of outstanding peculiar allowances to workers, with arrears to be paid in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.
The peculiar allowance, which takes effect from May 1, 2026, is expected to provide additional financial relief to workers amid rising living costs.
The resolutions further provide for the settlement of 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers within three months, beginning in December 2026.
The meeting was convened following concerns raised by the NLC over the Federal Government’s handling of workers’ welfare issues and the implementation of the national minimum wage, among other demands.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment had earlier intervened, leading to an initial conciliation meeting on October 22 and a follow-up meeting on October 27.
On the national minimum wage, both parties agreed that a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings immediately.
However, the government and labour leaders disagreed on the effective date for implementing the new minimum wage arrangements.
The meeting also addressed demands for tax relief for workers, hazard allowances for agricultural officers and the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
On tax relief, the parties agreed that the matter would be presented to the National Executive Council for consideration, noting that taxation is governed by statutory provisions.
Regarding hazard allowances for agricultural officers, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of beneficiaries and the associated financial implications to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for verification.
The verification exercise is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the commission will issue an implementation template.
On the CONHESS adjustment, the NSIWC is expected to complete an update of the cost implications within three weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to take a decision on the matter.
The resolutions urged state and local governments to participate in the intervention process, while labour unions were encouraged to press for the implementation of the agreed measures.
Both parties are expected to reconvene in one month to review progress in implementing the resolutions.
The conciliation meeting was attended by government officials, including the Director-General of Budget, Tanimu Yakubu; the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Garba Abdul S.U.; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Dingyadi, alongside labour representatives.
