Federal civil servants working in Nigeria’s public service are threatening to embark on a nationwide strike over unpaid allowances tied to the new minimum wage.
Workers, under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), have given the Federal Government a deadline of March 31 to act or face industrial action.
The ultimatum centres on the delayed implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance linked to the recently approved N70,000 minimum wage.
The workers say the continued delay has pushed many to the edge, warning that government activities across the country could be disrupted if nothing is done.
In a letter sent to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), the union’s National Chairman, Benjamin Uyantomni, and National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga, expressed frustration over what they described as unnecessary delays.
“The National Leadership of the JNPSNC is constrained to draw the attention of the management of the NSIWC to the undue delay in issuing the appropriate circular and salary templates required to facilitate the payment of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance,” the letter read.
The union said it had already done its part by submitting a proposal to make the process smooth.
However, it noted that the matter appears to have been stalled within the commission, with no clear explanation given.
Workers also recalled that a formal letter had been sent to the commission on September 1, 2025. Since then, they said nothing concrete has been done.
“This deliberate inaction has denied thousands of public servants their rightful entitlement,” the union stated.
According to the council, the approval for the allowance was properly communicated to the commission by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. Despite this, implementation has not commenced, raising suspicion among workers.
At a meeting held on March 9, 2026, leaders of various affiliate unions reviewed the situation and agreed to issue a final warning to the government. They said patience among workers has run out.
“Accordingly, we demand a positive response on or before Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Failure to comply will leave the council with no option but to take necessary action. No retreat, no surrender,” the letter added.
The dispute is coming at a sensitive time for the country’s workforce. The Federal Government had approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 after months of negotiation with labour unions.
The increase was meant to ease the burden of rising prices, especially after fuel subsidy removal and the steady increase in the cost of living.
However, beyond the announcement, implementation has faced several challenges. Many workers say the delays and inconsistencies are making the wage increase feel meaningless.
The 40 per cent peculiar allowance is seen as a key part of the new wage structure. It is meant to address salary gaps and reflect the realities of different roles within the civil service.
Its absence has therefore created doubts about whether workers will truly benefit from the new pay structure.
With inflation still high and purchasing power dropping, the delay is hitting workers hard. Many say they are struggling to cope, and the unpaid allowance has only made things worse.
The latest development signals possible unrest in the public sector if the government fails to meet the deadline. A strike at the federal level could affect ministries, departments, and agencies nationwide.
