Organised labour in the federal civil service has handed the Federal Government a Friday deadline to release funds for three months’ outstanding wage awards and other unpaid allowances, warning that failure to comply will trigger decisive action across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The ultimatum was conveyed by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union Side) in a letter addressed to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. The unions fixed February 27, 2026, as the deadline for payment.
The eight unions operating within the federal public service accused the government of withholding funds meant for workers, alleging that payment-processing agencies are ready to act once the Ministry of Finance releases the money.
The wage award controversy dates back more than two years, following the Federal Government’s approval of a N70,000 minimum wage in the aftermath of fuel subsidy removal.
In a separate letter to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the unions stated: “This wage award has dragged on for over two years now since the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage payment was approved.”
They 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.
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“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.”
Although partial payments were made after sustained agitation, labour leaders insist that three months remain outstanding, deepening frustration within the federal workforce.
The council further alleged that the delay is tied to the non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance.
According to the letter, “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, the unions highlighted additional financial obligations they say require urgent settlement. These include promotion arrears owed to workers elevated more than three years ago, unpaid salaries for employees recruited between 2015 and 2024, and the full implementation of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance tied to 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 maintained that workers’ entitlements must not be treated with levity and cautioned against subjecting employees to further hardship over delayed payments.
Copies of the correspondence were also forwarded to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, security agencies and affiliate unions for urgent attention.
