Wage arrears: Labour issues Friday ultimatum to FG

Organised labour in the federal public service has issued a Friday deadline to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate release of funds to settle three months’ outstanding wage awards and other pending allowances owed to workers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union Side) conveyed the ultimatum in a letter addressed to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, warning that failure to meet the February 27, 2026, deadline would compel the eight unions in the civil service to take decisive action.

The unions accused the government of withholding funds meant for workers, alleging that relevant agencies were prepared to process payments once the Ministry of Finance released the required funds.

The wage award dispute, which has persisted for over two years, followed the Federal Government’s approval of a N70,000 minimum wage after the removal of fuel subsidy.

Labour leaders stated that although partial payments were made after sustained pressure, three months remain unpaid since July 2024, heightening tension within the federal workforce.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the union stated: “This wage award has dragged on for over two years now since the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage payment was approved.”

The unions recalled that “the wage award was approved as a cushioning measure following fuel subsidy removal and was to run until the commencement of the new minimum wage implementation in July 2024.

“It is beyond the imagination and expectations of federal workers that the Federal Government left five months unpaid ab initio; not until there was much pressure did the Federal Government effect the staggered payment of two months, leaving the balance of three months since July 2024 unpaid.”

The JNPSNC further alleged that “all relevant government agencies responsible for effecting payment are prepared to do so but are constrained by the non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance.

“Available information revealed that all government agencies responsible for the payment of the wage award are ready to pay, but this is subject to the release of funds by the Honourable Minister of Finance, who is deliberately holding back the money.”

Beyond the wage award arrears, the unions listed other outstanding obligations requiring urgent attention, including promotion arrears for workers elevated more than three years ago, salary arrears for employees recruited between 2015 and 2024, and the proper implementation of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance based on the N70,000 minimum wage.

Warning of possible industrial action, the unions declared: “If the money meant for the payment of the wage award is not released on or before Friday, 27th February, 2026, the national leadership will take the bull by the horn and ensure appropriate actions are taken.”

They insisted that workers’ entitlements must not be treated with levity and that employees should not be subjected to undue hardship over delayed payments.

Copies of the letter were also forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, security agencies and affiliate unions for urgent attention.