Nigeria: Gov’t, Labour Unions reach breakthrough agreement on wage arrears

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

After nearly two years of negotiations, the Federal Government and public sector unions have reached a breakthrough agreement on long-outstanding wage awards and deductions owed to federal workers. The agreement was reached after intense talks between government representatives and the Trade Union Side of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) on March 5 2026.

The Federal Ministry of Finance has approved the payment of a three-month wage award, to be disbursed sequentially starting with February salaries.

The government has assured that third-party deductions will be remitted simultaneously with monthly salary payments to prevent further hardship for workers.

The government has pledged to engage in further consultations with Labour representatives to ensure proper implementation of the 40% peculiar allowance for federal public servants.

The agreement averted a nationwide strike, as organised labour had threatened decisive action if the government failed to meet its February 27 deadline. The Federal Government has also commenced payment of February 2026 salaries to treasury-funded workers, citing a technical hitch as the reason for the delay.