The Federal Government has approved a monthly transport allowance of ₦70,000 for Nigerian workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, following an agreement reached with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The decision was reached during a conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and NLC leadership at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The intervention is aimed at addressing workers’ concerns over the rising cost of living, fuel prices, minimum wage negotiations and outstanding allowances.
According to the resolutions from the meeting, the government also approved the payment of outstanding peculiar allowances, effective May 1, 2026. Disbursement is expected to begin in November in three equal monthly instalments. Additionally, 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers will be paid within three months, starting in December 2026.
On the proposed review of the national minimum wage, both parties agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and begin meetings immediately. However, no agreement has been reached on the effective date for implementing the new minimum wage.
The meeting also addressed hazard allowances for agricultural officers. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of eligible beneficiaries and the associated costs to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for verification. The process is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which an implementation template will be issued.
Similarly, the NSIWC is expected to complete an updated cost assessment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) within three weeks. The assessment will enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to make a decision on the proposed adjustment.
The issue of tax relief for workers will be referred to the National Economic Council (NEC), as taxation is a statutory matter.
The conciliation meeting followed concerns raised by the NLC over what it described as the Federal Government’s attitude towards unresolved workers’ welfare issues. In response, the government reaffirmed its commitment to respecting organised labour’s right to advocate improved working conditions and said it was addressing the concerns through structured interventions.
The resolutions also called on state and local governments to participate in the intervention process, while labour unions were encouraged to push for the implementation of the agreed measures.
Government representatives at the meeting included the Director-General of Budget, Tanimu Yakubu, and 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.
Both parties agreed to reconvene in one month to review progress on the implementation of the resolutions.