Labour Gives FG Friday Deadline To Settle Unpaid Wages
Organised labour in the federal public service has issued a stern ultimatum to the federal government, demanding the release of funds to settle three months of outstanding wage awards and other pending allowances owed to workers in ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) – the umbrella body representing eight unions in the civil service – has warned that failure to meet the deadline of Friday, February 27, 2026, will lead to decisive action by the unions.
The unions have accused the federal government of intentionally withholding funds that are meant for workers, despite reports that the relevant agencies are prepared to process payments as soon as the funds are released. The current dispute over the wage award stems from the federal government’s approval of a N70,000 minimum wage following the controversial removal of the fuel subsidy, a measure that was supposed to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal on workers.
The wage award dispute has been lingering for over two years, with workers still waiting for full payment. While partial payments were made after sustained pressure, three months of outstanding payments have remained unpaid since July 2024. This has led to rising tensions within the federal workforce, particularly as the unions press for the immediate release of the funds.
In a letter to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the union expressed its frustration: “This wage award has dragged on for over two years now since the implementation of the N70,000 Minimum Wage Payment was approved.” The unions reminded the government that the wage award was implemented as a relief measure following the fuel subsidy removal and was to last until the commencement of the new minimum wage implementation in July 2024.
The unions also pointed out the delay in payments: “It is beyond the imagination and expectations of federal workers that the federal government left five months unpaid ab initio. Not until there was much pressure did the federal government effect the staggered payment of two months, leaving the balance of three months since July 2024 unpaid.”
The JNPSNC further alleges that all relevant government agencies responsible for the payments are prepared to process them, but they are being hindered by the non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance. According to the unions, the Ministry of Finance has been deliberately withholding the money meant for workers.
The unions also highlighted other financial obligations that demand urgent attention, including promotion arrears for workers promoted over three years ago, salary arrears for employees recruited between 2015 and 2024, and the accurate payment of a 40% peculiar allowance based on the N70,000 minimum wage.
In a stern warning to the federal government, the unions 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.” They stressed that the workers’ entitlements should not be treated with disdain, emphasizing that no worker should suffer undue hardship due to delayed payments.
Copies of the letter were forwarded to several key stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), security agencies, and affiliate unions, to ensure the matter receives urgent attention and necessary action.