Showdown: Labour Gives FG Until Friday to Meet Demands

Organised labour in Nigeria’s federal public service has set a Friday, February 27, 2026, deadline for the federal government to settle outstanding wages and allowances, warning that failure to comply will trigger industrial action.

The ultimatum came from the leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), representing eight unions in the civil service. The unions said the government’s delay in releasing funds has left ministries, departments, and agencies ready but unable to process payments to workers.

The dispute stems from the federal government’s approval of a ₦70,000 minimum wage following the removal of the fuel subsidy. Partial payments were made under pressure, but three months of wages dating back to July 2024 remain unpaid, raising concerns across the federal workforce.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the unions said: “This wage award has dragged on for over two years since the ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Payment was approved.” They noted that the wage award was intended to cushion workers after fuel subsidy removal and was to continue until the new minimum wage took effect in July 2024.

The unions further criticised the government for delaying payments, stating: “It is beyond the imagination and expectations of federal workers that five months were left unpaid initially. Only after sustained pressure were two months paid in a staggered manner, leaving a balance of three months unpaid since July 2024.”

The JNPSNC said it expects the government to meet its demands by the Friday deadline to avert escalation.