FG, NLC Agree on ₦70,000 Monthly Transport Allowance for Six Months

The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached agreements on several workers’ welfare issues, including a ₦70,000 transport intervention for six months beginning in November 2026 and the phased payment of outstanding allowances.

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The agreements followed conciliation meetings held on October 22 and 27 in Abuja, chaired by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi. The NLC delegation was led by its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

However, both parties have yet to agree on when the new national minimum wage should take effect, with the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee expected to begin meetings immediately.

₦70,000 Transport Intervention to Begin in November

Under the agreement, the Federal Government will provide a ₦70,000 transport intervention across all levels for six months, starting in November 2026.

The statement announcing the resolutions did not provide further details on the payment schedule, eligibility criteria or the mechanism for distributing the intervention.

The meeting also urged state and local governments to participate in the intervention process and encouraged unions to pursue implementation at their respective levels.

Peculiar Allowance Arrears to Be Paid in Three Instalments

The government has approved the peculiar allowance with effect from May 1, 2026, while payment of outstanding arrears is scheduled to begin in November.

The arrears will be paid in three equal monthly instalments, according to the resolutions reached at the meeting.

The arrangement is expected to spread the outstanding payments over three months rather than settle them in a single payment.

Health Workers’ Arrears Targeted for December

The Federal Government and labour representatives also agreed on a plan to settle 19 months of outstanding allowance arrears owed to health workers within three months, beginning in December 2026.

The agreement provides a timeline for clearing the arrears, although the statement did not specify the total amount involved or the precise payment dates.

Minimum Wage Implementation Date Remains Unresolved

Despite the progress on transport support and outstanding allowances, the government and labour leaders remain divided over the effective date for implementing the new national minimum wage.

The Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee is expected to be constituted and begin meetings immediately to address the outstanding issue.

The committee’s deliberations will be important in determining when the new wage arrangement should take effect, as the two sides continue discussions.

Other Resolutions Cover Tax Relief and Allowances

The meeting reached additional resolutions on workers’ welfare, including tax relief, hazard allowances for agricultural workers and adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

The issue of tax relief will be referred to the National Executive Council because taxation is a statutory matter.

For agricultural workers’ hazard allowance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of beneficiaries and the associated cost implications to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for verification. The process is expected to be completed within two weeks.

The commission is also expected to update the cost implications of the CONHESS adjustment within three weeks. The Presidential Committee on Salaries will then be in a position to make a decision.

FG and NLC to Review Progress in One Month

Both parties agreed to reconvene after one month to assess progress on implementing the resolutions.

The statement was signed on October 27, 2026, by Annah Daniel, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

While the agreements set out timelines for several welfare measures, implementation will be key to determining when workers begin receiving the promised transport intervention and outstanding payments.