By Our Reporter
The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached an agreement on a series of measures to ease workers’ economic hardship, including a N70,000 transport allowance for six months and the payment of 19 months’ outstanding allowances owed 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, 2026.
The meetings were organised to address concerns raised by the NLC over the rising cost of living, implementation of the national minimum wage, rising petrol prices, workers’ welfare and outstanding allowances.
Under the agreement, the Federal Government will provide a N70,000 transport intervention across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026.
The government also approved a peculiar allowance with effect from May 1, 2026, with payment of the outstanding arrears scheduled to begin in November and spread across three equal monthly instalments.
Similarly, the 19 months’ outstanding allowances owed health workers are to be paid within three months, beginning in December 2026.
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, JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga.
The parties also agreed to constitute a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee, which is expected to commence work immediately.
However, the Federal Government and the labour union failed to reach an agreement on the effective date for implementing the new minimum wage.
On tax relief for workers, the meeting resolved that the issue should be referred to the National Executive Council, given that taxation is a statutory matter.
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 (NSIWC) for verification.
The verification process is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the commission will issue an implementation template.
The NSIWC is also expected to complete an updated assessment of the cost implications of the proposed Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment within three weeks.
The assessment will enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to determine the next course of action on the proposed adjustment.
The Federal Government and the NLC urged state and local governments to participate in the intervention process and implement the agreed measures.
Both parties further agreed to reconvene after one month to assess progress in implementing the resolutions.