Breaking: FG Approves N70,000 Transport Allowance for Workers, Sets Date to Pay 19 Months Arrears Owed Health Workers After Deal With NLC

FG, NLC finally agree on N70,000 transport relief and payment of health workers 19 months arrears

Workers across the country will start receiving N70,000 transport intervention from November 2026 as the Federal Government and Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, reached a fresh deal to ease economic hardship.

The agreement also covers payment of 19 months outstanding allowances owed to health workers and approval of peculiar allowance for federal workers.

The deal was sealed at a conciliation meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Monday, October 27, following an earlier meeting held on October 22. The meetings were called to address NLC complaints over rising cost of living, petrol price, minimum wage implementation and welfare of workers.

FG to pay N70k transport allowance for six months

According to the communique, the Federal Government will pay N70,000 transport intervention across all levels for six months starting November 2026.

The government has also approved peculiar allowance effective from May 1, 2026. Arrears for the allowance will be paid from November in three equal monthly instalments.

For health workers, the government agreed to clear 19 months outstanding allowances within three months, beginning December 2026.

On minimum wage, the meeting resolved that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee should be constituted immediately to begin work, although both parties are still divided on the effective date for implementation.

Tax relief for workers was also discussed but referred to the National Executive Council because taxation is a statutory matter.

Other resolutions from FG, NLC meeting

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of beneficiaries and cost implications for hazard allowance for agricultural officers to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NSIWC, for verification.

NSIWC is expected to conclude verification within two weeks and issue an implementation template.

Similarly, NSIWC is expected to complete assessment of cost implications for the proposed CONHESS adjustment within three weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to decide.

The agreement was signed on the Federal Government side by the Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Director General Budget Office Timi Yakubu and Permanent Secretary SWO Office of the Head of Civil Service Dr. Garba Abdul S. U. NLC President Joe Ajaero and National Secretary JNPSNC Olowoyo Gbenga signed for labour.

Both parties called on state and local governments to join the intervention and implement the agreed measures.

They also agreed to reconvene after one month to review implementation.