The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council has backed an agreement for a temporary ₦70,000 transport allowance for federal public servants, deepening disagreement between the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress over the measure.
In a circular to affiliated unions and state councils, council national secretary Gbenga Olowoyo said the arrangement followed more than six hours of negotiations involving Labour and Employment Minister Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, an NLC delegation led by Joe Ajaero, the council and representatives of the Joint Health Sector Unions.
According to the council, the allowance is intended to cushion rising commuting costs and will run for six months beginning in November 2026. Olowoyo urged state and local governments to consider similar support for their employees, although the supplied account does not establish that such payments have been approved at those levels.
He said the talks also addressed a 40 per cent peculiar allowance linked to the revised minimum wage, with arrears dating from May 2026 proposed for payment in three installments. Other issues discussed included the long delayed adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure and outstanding allowances for health workers.
The council said the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission was given three weeks to complete work on the health salary adjustment and forward its recommendations through the relevant approval process. It also referred to proposed action on agricultural officers’ hazard allowance and a tripartite committee involving government, labour and employers.
Olowoyo challenged the TUC’s rejection of the transport arrangement, arguing that the organization had not participated in the particular negotiation. He nevertheless said any effort to secure a better package for workers would be welcome.
The competing positions underscore continuing differences over how labour organizations should negotiate and evaluate cost of living support. The terms, implementation circulars and federal funding arrangements require confirmation from the government and the unions concerned.
