POLITICAL Economy

FG Approves ₦70,000 Monthly Wage Award for Workers

by admin on | 2026-10-28 11:51:56

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By Muhammad Bala Imam

The Nigerian government has again approved a wage award for its workers.

On Tuesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC in a statement, said it had reached a truce with the Federal Government for a 70 thousand naira wage award for its workers effective November 2026 and it will last for six months.

The amount is to cushion the effect of rising inflation especially transportation on workers.

About two years ago, the federal government approved a wage award of 35 thousand naira for workers for six months with the intervention of the organised labour after the government removed the subsidy on petrol.

A resolution reached at a reconciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday in Abuja, the federal government also approved the peculiar allowance effective from 1st May 2026 with payment of the arrears commencing in November, 2026 in three equal monthly instalments.

Other agreements reached during the meeting include, that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meeting immediately, though the parties could not agree on the effective date of implementation.

Nineteen months' arrears of allowances for Health Workers are to be redeemed within three months with effect from December, 2026.

Also on the Consolidated Health Salaries Structure (CONHESS) adjustment, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission NSIWC, promised to complete the update of the cost implications within three weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to decide on the CONHESS adjustment.

On tax relief for workers the meetings agreed that since tax is a statutory matter, the issue of tax relief for workers will be taken to the National Executive Council NEC.

The parties also resolved issues surrounding hazard allowance for agricultural officers.

The meeting noted that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had just submitted the list of beneficiaries and the cost implications to NSIWC which it said is being verified adding that the verification is expected to be completed within two weeks after which the template for implementation would be issued by the NSIWC.

It called on State and Local Governments to key into the intervention process while Unions are enjoined to push for its implementation

Both parties agreed to reconvene after a period of one month to appraise the level of implementation of the resolution.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Federal Government by Tanimu Yakubu, Director General Budget and Dr Garba Abdul S.U, Permanent Secretary (SWO) OHCSF, while Comrade Joe Ajaero, President NLC and Comrade Olowoye Gbenga, National Secretary Joint Public Service Negotiation Committee JNPSNC signed on behalf of Labour.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi also appended his signature to the Communiqué.