The Federal Government has mandated the payment of two months of overdue wage awards to federal workers by August 15, 2026. This decision follows a critical negotiation session between Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele and the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC).
This agreement successfully prevented a potential labor strike, as the JNPSNC officially suspended its August 11 ultimatum. The high-level meeting included key finance ministry officials and a labor delegation headed by Comrade Kabiru Ado, who serves as the National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria.
Beyond the wage awards, Minister Oyedele pledged that the government would expedite the 40 percent peculiar allowance using a supplementary budget, with the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office coordinating the funding. Furthermore, the government confirmed that administrative issues regarding promotion arrears for batches seven and nine have been settled.
While labor leaders expressed satisfaction with these commitments, they noted that they will strictly oversee the execution of these agreements. The union emphasized that their goal was to avoid industrial unrest while securing the rights and welfare of the workforce.
