FG to Begin ₦420,000 Transport Allowance Payments to Workers in November
The Federal Government is expected to begin paying public servants a monthly transport allowance of ₦70,000 in November 2026, with eligible beneficiaries set to receive a total of ₦420,000 over six months.
The arrangement, which is expected to run from November 2026 to April 2027, was among the resolutions reached at a conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on October 27, 2026.
The intervention is intended to cushion the impact of rising living costs on workers. The allowance is separate from the national minimum wage and is structured as a temporary six-month support package rather than a one-off payment.
However, the agreement does not specify the exact monthly payment date, whether the allowance will be paid alongside salaries or the administrative process workers must follow to receive it.
It also does not clearly state the precise categories of public servants eligible for the payment.
The memorandum encourages state and local governments to participate in the intervention, but it does not confirm that all state and local governments have approved the payment. Workers outside the Federal Government service may therefore need to seek clarification from their respective authorities on their eligibility.
Peculiar Allowance Arrears to Be Paid in Three Instalments
The Federal Government has also approved the payment of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026.
According to the agreement, payment will commence in November 2026 and be made in three equal monthly instalments. However, the total amount of the arrears and the sum individual beneficiaries will receive have not been disclosed.
The arrangement forms part of broader efforts to address outstanding workers’ welfare issues following discussions between the government and organised labour.
Health Workers to Receive Outstanding Allowances
The agreement provides for the settlement of 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers within three months, beginning in December 2026.
The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission is also expected to complete an assessment of the financial implications of adjusting the Consolidated Health Salary Structure within three weeks.
A final decision on the proposed salary structure adjustment has not yet been announced.
Minimum Wage Negotiations to Continue
The Federal Government and the NLC also agreed to establish a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee, with meetings expected to begin immediately to address outstanding disagreements over the implementation of minimum wage arrangements.
Although the national minimum wage was increased from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 in 2024, the latest meeting did not resolve all issues surrounding the effective date of the minimum wage arrangements currently under discussion.
The committee is expected to provide a platform for further engagement between the government and labour representatives on outstanding matters affecting workers.
Other Workers’ Welfare Issues
The resolutions also address hazard allowances for agricultural officers and a proposed tax relief package for workers.
The beneficiaries and financial implications of the hazard allowance arrangement are undergoing verification, which is expected to be completed within two weeks.
The proposed tax relief package will be referred to the National Economic Council for consideration.
The Federal Government and the NLC are expected to reconvene after one month to review the implementation of the resolutions.
The actual benefits workers receive will depend on the implementation of the agreement and further clarification of eligibility requirements and payment procedures.