Wage Arrears: Organised Labour Issues Friday Ultimatum to Federal Government

Organised labour unions within Nigeria’s federal public service have issued a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria, demanding the immediate release of funds to clear outstanding wage arrears and allowances owed to civil servants. The unions warned that failure to meet the deadline of Friday, February 27, 2026, would trigger decisive action across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The ultimatum was conveyed through a formal letter written by the leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, and addressed to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. According to the unions, workers are currently owed three months of wage award payments, alongside other unresolved entitlements that have accumulated over several years.

Dispute Rooted in Minimum Wage Adjustment

The wage award in question was introduced as a temporary relief measure following the removal of fuel subsidy and the subsequent approval of a ₦70,000 national minimum wage. Labour leaders explained that the award was meant to cushion the economic shock on workers until the full implementation of the new minimum wage structure in July 2024.

However, despite repeated engagements and assurances, the unions said the payment process has been plagued by delays. While some months were eventually paid after sustained pressure from organised labour, three months’ arrears dating back to July 2024 remain unsettled, worsening frustration among federal workers.

In their correspondence to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the unions described the situation as unacceptable, noting that the wage award dispute has lingered for more than two years.

“This wage award has dragged on for over two years now since the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage payment was approved,” the letter stated.

Allegations of Withheld Funds

The JNPSNC further alleged that the delay is not due to administrative bottlenecks within MDAs, but rather the non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance. According to labour leaders, relevant agencies are ready to process payments immediately once the funds are made available.

“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 Honourable Minister of Finance, who is deliberately holding back the money,” the unions claimed.

Beyond the wage award arrears, organised labour highlighted several other unresolved obligations, including promotion arrears for workers elevated more than three years ago, unpaid salaries of employees recruited between 2015 and 2024, and the incomplete implementation of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance tied to the new minimum wage.

Threat of Industrial Action

Warning of possible industrial action, the unions stressed that patience among workers is wearing thin. They insisted that wages and allowances are not privileges but statutory entitlements that must be treated with urgency.

“If the money meant for the payment of the wage award is not released on or before Friday, 27th February, 2026, the national leadership will take the bull by the horn and ensure appropriate actions are taken,” the letter warned.

Copies of the ultimatum were also forwarded to 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 nationwide.

Labour leaders maintained that continued delays only deepen hardship for workers already grappling with inflation, rising living costs, and economic uncertainty. They urged the government to act swiftly to avert a breakdown in industrial harmony within the federal public service.