Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Tension is mounting within Nigeria’s public service as civil servants, organised under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, have issued a firm ultimatum to the Federal Government over the delayed payment of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance linked to the N70,000 minimum wage. The workers have set Tuesday, March 31, 2026, as the deadline for the government to act, warning that failure to release the allowance will compel them to proceed with industrial action that could disrupt public service across the country.
The dispute revolves around the peculiar allowance, which is a component of the national minimum wage meant to reflect additional compensation for federal civil servants. Although the minimum wage of N70,000 was formally enacted in 2024, the corresponding 40 per cent allowance has yet to be implemented. Authorities have delayed issuing the necessary circulars and salary templates to allow payment, leaving thousands of workers without the approved entitlements.
In a letter addressed to the Executive Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, union leaders, including the National Chairman and Secretary of the council, expressed deep frustration with what they described as undue delay in formalising the payment. The letter highlighted that approvals for the allowance had been granted in 2023 and reaffirmed in subsequent national council meetings in 2024, but implementation has stalled.
The union emphasised that the delay has stretched workers’ patience and that previous efforts to facilitate the process, including detailed presentations to the commission, had been ignored. They warned that if the government fails to act by the March 31 deadline, civil servants will have no choice but to embark on industrial action. The letter described the inaction as a serious threat to industrial harmony within the public service.
The looming strike has raised concern among policymakers, economists, and business leaders, as a coordinated walkout by federal civil servants could disrupt essential services, including education, healthcare, regulatory functions, and government operations. Analysts have noted that unresolved wage disputes can negatively affect morale and productivity, particularly when workers feel promised entitlements are not honoured.
The current standoff follows earlier national labour struggles that led to the adoption of the N70,000 minimum wage. While the law was enacted after months of negotiation between labour unions and the Federal Government, gaps in implementation have persisted, demonstrating ongoing challenges in translating agreements into action. Experts have called for clearer timetables, better coordination among government agencies, and stronger accountability measures to ensure that workers receive the full benefits of approved wage structures.
As the March 31 deadline approaches, all eyes are on the Federal Government to see whether it will respond with a commitment and concrete action to prevent industrial unrest. Failure to resolve the issue promptly could mark the beginning of a new phase of labour tension, with significant implications for governance and public service delivery across Nigeria.
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