FG approves 40% allowance for civil servants following strike threat

The federal government of Nigeria has formally approved a 40 percent peculiar allowance for federal civil servants, narrowly averting a national industrial showdown.

The decision followed a lengthy meeting on Tuesday chaired by Didi Walson-Jack, head of the civil service of the federation, at her office in Abuja.

During the session, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) released the implementation circular, ending nearly two years of tension regarding wage adjustments linked to the N70,000 national minimum wage.

Addressing the assembly, Walson-Jack emphasised the necessity of maintaining open lines of communication between the government and organised labour to prevent future friction.

She said, “It is vital to strengthen trust between government management teams and labour unions to avoid unnecessary industrial disputes”.

“While unions have the constitutional right to make demands, we must ensure there is always room for constructive dialogue to sustain industrial harmony.”

The negotiations involved Ekpo Nta, executive chairman of the NSIWC and Benjamin Anthony, national chairman of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC)

Both officials praised the head of service for her intervention, which they credited with resolving the long-standing impasse.

Confirming the resolution, Gbenga Olowoyo, national secretary of the JNPSNC, hailed the decision as a significant triumph for the workforce.

He noted that the implementation would be backdated to May 1, 2026.

“This is a major victory for Nigerian workers and a positive step toward improving welfare amid current economic hardships,” Olowoyo said. “Our members have been waiting since July 2024 for this adjustment to reflect the new minimum wage template.”

Olowoyo admitted that the council had previously scheduled a nationwide strike for May 21, citing initial resistance from the NSIWC. However, he confirmed that the intervention from the Office of the Head of Service had restored confidence.

“With this development, workers are likely to sheathe their swords and allow industrial peace to reign in the workplace,” he added.

The JNPSNC has now urged state governments to adopt the federal circular, ensuring that state and local government employees also receive financial relief.

Ngozi Ekugo

Ngozi Ekugo is a Senior Correspondent at BusinessDay. She holds a Masters in management from the University of Lagos, an undergraduate from University of Lagos, and is in an alumni of Queen's College. Shes currently an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). She has a brief experience at Goldman sachs, London in its Human Capital Management division. She is interested in human capital development and is leveraging her varied experience across sectors to report labour and global mobility trends for stakeholders to make informed decisions.