FG, NLC Agree on N70,000 Monthly Transport Support, 19 Months’ Health Workers’ Arrears

The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached an agreement on measures to ease the economic pressure on workers, including a monthly transport intervention of N70,000 for six months and the payment of 19 months’ outstanding allowances owed to health workers.

The resolutions were reached at a conciliation meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, following an earlier meeting convened on October 22 to address concerns raised by organised labour.

The discussions focused on the rising cost of living, implementation of the National Minimum Wage, petroleum pump prices, workers’ welfare and outstanding allowances.

Under the agreement, the Federal Government will provide a transport intervention of N70,000 monthly across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026.

The government also approved the payment of peculiar allowance arrears with effect from May 1, 2026. The arrears are expected to be paid in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.

In addition, the parties agreed that 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers would be paid within three months, beginning in December 2026.

Minimum Wage Implementation Date Remains Unresolved

Despite the agreements on transport support and outstanding allowances, the Federal Government and the NLC failed to reach a consensus on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage.

However, both parties agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and begin work immediately.

The issue of tax relief for workers was also discussed, with the meeting resolving that the matter should be referred to the National Executive Council, given that taxation is a statutory matter.

FG Reviews Proposed Allowances for Agricultural, Health Workers

The meeting further addressed the proposed hazard allowance for agricultural officers.

According to the resolutions, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had submitted the list of beneficiaries and the associated cost implications to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for verification.

The verification exercise is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the commission will issue an implementation template.

Similarly, the NSIWC is expected to complete an updated assessment of the cost implications of the proposed adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) within three weeks.

The assessment will provide the basis for the Presidential Committee on Salaries to consider the matter and determine the next steps.

FG, NLC Urge States, Local Governments to Participate

The Federal Government and the NLC also called on state and local governments to participate in the intervention process and implement the agreed measures.

Both parties further agreed to reconvene after one month to assess the level of implementation of the resolutions reached at the meeting.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; the Director-General of Budget, Timi 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.

The NLC was represented by its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, while Olowoyo Gbenga signed on behalf of the Joint National Public Service Negotiation Council (JNPSNC) as its national secretary.

The agreement outlines several measures intended to address workers’ welfare concerns, although the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage remains subject to further negotiations.