FG approves ₦70,000 monthly transport support for workers, to pay 19-month allowance arrears

The Federal Government has approved ₦70,000 monthly transport support for workers for six months, beginning in November 2026.

It has also pledged to pay 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers within three months, starting in December.

The resolutions were reached at conciliation meetings between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on October 22 and 27 in Abuja.

In a statement on Tuesday, October 27, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment said the government had also approved the peculiar allowance, effective from May 1, 2026.

Payment of the allowance arrears will begin in November and be made in three equal monthly instalments.

The ministry added that the list of beneficiaries and cost implications for agricultural workers’ hazard allowances had been submitted to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for verification, expected to be completed within two weeks.

The commission also pledged to complete the updated cost implications for the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment within three weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to make a decision.

On the national minimum wage, the parties agreed to constitute the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee and commence work immediately, although they disagreed on the effective date of implementation.

The meetings were chaired by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi while NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero led the labour delegation.

Both parties agreed to reconvene after one month to assess progress on implementing the resolutions.

They also urged State and Local Governments to participate in the intervention process.