Tension is mounting across federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as organised labour in the federal public service has handed the Federal Government a Friday, February 27, 2026 ultimatum to release funds for three months’ outstanding wage award and other unpaid allowances.
The warning came from the leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, which said failure to meet the deadline would trigger decisive action by the eight unions representing civil servants.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the union expressed frustration over what it described as prolonged delays.
“This wage award has dragged on for over two years now since the implementation of (N70,000) Minimum Wage Payment was approved,” the letter stated.
The wage award was introduced as a cushioning measure after the removal of fuel subsidy and was expected to run until the new N70,000 minimum wage took effect in July 2024.
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According to labour leaders, while some payments were made following sustained pressure, three months remain unpaid since July 2024.
“It is beyond the imagination and expectations of federal workers that federal government left five months unpaid abinitio, not until there was much pressure, there and then, federal government effected the staggered payment of two months, leaving the balance of three months since July, 2024 unpaid,” the unions said.
The JNPSNC alleged that the delay is not due to administrative bottlenecks within MDAs but the non-release of funds.
“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 minister of finance who is deliberately holding back the money.”
Beyond the wage award, the unions highlighted additional financial grievances requiring urgent resolution.
These include promotion arrears owed to workers promoted more than three years ago, salary arrears for employees recruited between 2015 and 2024, and proper implementation of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance calculated on the N70,000 minimum wage.
Warning of possible industrial unrest, the unions declared: “If the money meant for the payment of the wage award is not released on or before Friday, February 27, 2026, the national leadership will take the bull by the horns and ensure appropriate actions are taken.”
They stressed that workers’ entitlements should not be trivialised and insisted that employees must not continue to endure hardship due to delayed payments.
Copies of the letter were also sent to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, security agencies, and affiliate unions for urgent attention.
