BREAKING: FG APPROVES N70,000 MONTHLY TRANSPORT SUPPORT FOR WORKERS FOR SIX MONTHS

The Federal Government has approved a monthly transport allowance of ₦70,000 for public service workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, to ease the impact of rising living costs.

The approval was one of the resolutions reached at a conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, following renewed concerns over workers’ welfare, the cost of living and outstanding agreements.

The government also approved the payment of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026, in three equal monthly instalments starting in November.

However, both parties failed to reach an agreement on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage, although they agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and begin meetings immediately.

The resolutions were contained in a memorandum of understanding signed at the end of the meeting by the Director-General of Budget, Timi Yakubu; NLC President, Joe Ajaero; the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Garba Abdul S.U.; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.

The document, titled Resolutions Reached at a Conciliation Meeting Held at Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Between the Federal Government and the Leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday, 27th October, 2026, outlined agreements on minimum wage negotiations, transport support, outstanding allowances, health workers’ remuneration, tax relief and hazard allowances for agricultural officers.

The meeting followed an earlier conciliation session held on October 22, 2026, convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to address disagreements between the government and organised labour.

On the transport intervention, the memorandum stated that ₦70,000 would be paid monthly across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026.

However, the document did not specify the exact payment dates or explain the administrative arrangements for disbursing the funds.

The intervention comes amid persistent concerns over rising transportation costs and the prices of essential goods following the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, which contributed to increased living expenses nationwide.

Organised labour has repeatedly called for measures to reduce the financial burden on workers, including lower petrol prices, improved wages and the implementation of outstanding welfare agreements.

The memorandum also highlighted the NLC leadership’s concerns about the government’s handling of its demands.

In response, the Federal Government reaffirmed its recognition of the union’s right to advocate for improved working conditions, stating that it was working to address the issues through structured interventions.

On the national minimum wage, both parties agreed to establish the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee and begin meetings immediately. However, the effective date for implementation remained unresolved.

The disagreement leaves a major issue outstanding despite the commitment to commence negotiations without delay.

The national minimum wage became a significant issue in 2024 when the Federal Government and organised labour negotiated an increase in the statutory monthly minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. The new rate was subsequently enacted into law through the National Minimum Wage Act.

Although the latest agreement provides for further discussions on the minimum wage, it does not specify the particular proposal under consideration or a timeline for concluding the negotiations.

The agreement therefore represents progress on some workers’ welfare demands, while other issues remain subject to further negotiations, administrative verification and decisions by the relevant government authorities.