FG Approves ₦70,000 Monthly Transport Allowance for Workers for Six Months

The Federal Government has approved a monthly transport allowance of ₦70,000 for public service workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, as part of efforts to cushion the impact of rising living costs.

The approval was one of the resolutions reached at a conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

The meeting was convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to address outstanding disagreements over workers’ welfare, wage implementation and other labour-related demands.

According to a memorandum of understanding signed at the meeting, the government also approved the payment of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026, in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.

The agreement was signed by the Director-General of Budget, Timi Yakubu; NLC President, Joe Ajaero; the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Garba Abdul S.U.; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.

However, the parties did not reach an agreement on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage, leaving the issue unresolved despite their commitment to resume negotiations immediately.

The memorandum stated that a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings without delay to address the outstanding differences.

The document also outlined discussions on health workers’ remuneration, tax relief and hazard allowances for agricultural officers, among other issues affecting public sector employees.

The latest resolutions followed an earlier conciliation meeting held on October 22, 2026, as the government and organised labour continued efforts to resolve disputes over workers’ welfare and the rising cost of living.

The transport intervention comes amid persistent concerns over transportation costs and the prices of essential goods following the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023.

Organised labour has consistently called for measures to ease the economic burden on workers, including improved remuneration, lower transportation costs and the fulfilment of outstanding welfare agreements.

During the meeting, the NLC leadership reportedly expressed concern over the Federal Government’s handling of its demands.

In response, the government reaffirmed its recognition of the Congress’s right to advocate improved working conditions, stating that it was addressing the demands through structured interventions.

Nigeria’s national minimum wage was increased from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 per month in 2024 following negotiations between the Federal Government and organised labour. The revised amount was subsequently enacted into law.

Although the latest agreement commits both parties to further discussions on minimum wage implementation, it does not specify the proposed implementation date or the details of the outstanding disagreement.

The memorandum also did not state the exact monthly payment date or explain the administrative arrangements for disbursing the newly approved transport allowance.

The agreement therefore provides for immediate financial relief through the transport intervention and payment of allowance arrears, while negotiations on the minimum wage implementation date and other outstanding demands remain ongoing.