Abuja — Organised labour in the federal public service has issued a Friday ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate release of funds to settle three months’ outstanding wage award and other pending allowances owed to workers in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
The leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union Side) warned that failure to meet its February 27, 2026 deadline would trigger decisive action by the eight unions within the civil service.
Labour leaders accused the government of deliberately withholding funds meant for workers, despite claims that relevant agencies are ready to process payments once the Ministry of Finance releases the money.
The dispute over the wage award has persisted for more than two years, following the Federal Government’s approval of a N70,000 minimum wage in the aftermath of fuel subsidy removal.
While partial payments were made after sustained pressure from labour unions, three months of the wage award have remained unpaid since July 2024, fuelling discontent across the federal workforce.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the council stated: “This wage award has dragged on for over two years now since the implementation of (N70,000) Minimum Wage Payment was approved.”
The unions recalled that the wage award was introduced as a cushioning measure pending the full implementation of the new minimum wage in July 2024. They lamented that five months were initially left unpaid until pressure mounted, prompting the staggered payment of two months, leaving three months outstanding.
According to the council, all relevant government agencies responsible for processing the payments are prepared to act but are constrained by the non-release of funds.
“Available information revealed that all government agencies responsible for the payment of the wage award are ready to pay but this is subject to the release of funds by the minister of finance who is deliberately holding back the money,” the letter alleged.
Beyond the wage award, the unions listed other unresolved financial obligations, including promotion arrears for workers elevated more than three years ago, salary arrears for employees recruited between 2015 and 2024, and the accurate payment of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance based on the N70,000 minimum wage.
Warning of possible industrial unrest, the council declared: “If the money meant for the payment of the wage award is not released on or before Friday, February 27, 2026, the national leadership will take the bull by the horns and ensure appropriate actions are taken.”
Copies of the letter were also sent to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, security agencies and affiliate unions for urgent attention.
With tensions mounting, observers warn that failure to resolve the impasse before the deadline could spark widespread disruption across the federal public service.
