They insisted that workers’ entitlements must not be treated with levity and that employees should not be subjected to undue hardship over delayed payments.
26th February 2026 07:55 AM 
The Organised labour in the federal public service of Nigeria has issued a Friday, February, 27, 2026, deadline to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate release of funds to settle three months’ outstanding wage awards and other pending allowances owed to workers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Trade Union Side, conveyed the ultimatum in a letter addressed to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, warning that failure to meet the February 27, 2026, deadline would compel the eight unions in the civil service to take decisive action.
The unions accused the government of withholding funds meant for workers, alleging that relevant agencies were prepared to process payments once the Ministry of Finance released the required funds.
The wage award dispute, which has persisted for over two years, followed the Federal Government’s approval of a N70,000 minimum wage after the removal of fuel subsidy.
Labour leaders stated that although partial payments were made after sustained pressure, three months remain unpaid since July 2024, heightening tension within the federal workforce.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the union stated that the wage award has dragged on for over two years now since the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage payment was approved.
The unions recalled that the wage award was approved as a cushioning measure following fuel subsidy removal and was to run until the commencement of the new minimum wage implementation in July 2024.
Warning of possible industrial action, the unions declared: “If the money meant for the payment of the wage award is not released on or before Friday, 27th February, 2026, the national leadership will take the bull by the horn and ensure appropriate actions are taken.”
They insisted that workers’ entitlements must not be treated with levity and that employees should not be subjected to undue hardship over delayed payments.
Copies of the letter were also forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, security agencies and affiliate unions for urgent attention.
