Federal civil servants have asked the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, to urgently pay their 40 per cent peculiar allowance and outstanding promotion arrears.
The workers, under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Trade Union Side, said the continued delay is causing anger and restiveness in the public service.
In a letter signed by the National Secretary of the Council, Olowoyo Gbenga, the workers appreciated the minister for paying two months’ wage award arrears but said two major issues are still pending.
The council reminded the minister that it had written to him on July 9, 2026, which led to a meeting on August 5, 2026.
“The National leadership of JNPSNC wishes to acknowledge and commend your office for walking the talk with appreciable intervention,” the council said.
It added, “It is on the strength of the above that the national leadership wishes to appreciate your office for acting resourcefully on the resolutions arrived at the meeting the national leadership had with your revered person on Wednesday, 5th August, 2026.”
The workers confirmed that the outstanding wage award was paid as agreed, “i.e. before 15th August, 2026.”
However, they said the 40 per cent peculiar allowance based on the ₦70,000 minimum wage is yet to be implemented.
“However, it will be recalled that another major issue that was presented before your esteemed person was the matter affecting the implementation of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance that must reflect the N70,000 national minimum wage,” the letter read.
According to the council, the allowance was approved in a circular signed by the former Executive Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Eyo Nta, with effect from May 1, 2026.
The workers appealed to the minister to remove all bottlenecks delaying the payment.
“The essence of this letter is to once again invite your office to the urgent need to revisit this issue and accelerate the implementation of the circular without any administrative red-tape blockade,” they stated.
The council also insisted that the government has no excuse not to pay.
“The national leadership of JNPSNC wants to state without hesitation that the Federal Government can implement this circular without a pinch of excuse(s) because resources are adequately available to pay the money,” it said.
On promotion arrears, the workers demanded immediate payment for batches seven and nine.
They listed their demands as “the implementation of a 40% peculiar allowance predicated on the circular issued by the National Income, Salaries and Wages Commission… with effect from 1st May, 2026” and “payment of promotion arrears of batches seven (7) and nine (9) that are currently hanging in the process of payment.”
The council said it does not want the matter to lead to industrial action and urged the minister to act quickly to avoid an ultimatum, saying a stitch in time saves nine.
