The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, has called on the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, to urgently address delays in workers’ welfare payments. The council warned that failure to resolve outstanding issues could spark unrest among federal public servants.
In a letter signed by National Secretary Gbenga Olowoyo on behalf of Chairman Benjamin Yanto, the union demanded a meeting with the minister on or before August 11, 2026. It expressed disappointment that two earlier letters sent in May and July had received no response.
“The national leadership expects that this meeting will help to address the above‑stated outstanding issues to prevent palpable disquiet and the brewing industrial crisis,” the letter stated.
Wage Awards And Allowance Implementation
The council’s demands centre on two unresolved issues: the implementation of a 40% peculiar allowance approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, and the payment of two months’ outstanding wage awards covering March and April 2026.
The allowance was approved through a circular signed by Commission Chairman Eyo Nta, effective May 1, 2026, but has yet to be implemented across ministries and agencies.
The wage awards, introduced as temporary relief following the 2023 fuel subsidy removal, were meant to cushion rising living costs. While payments were made for several months, arrears for March and April remain unpaid.
The JNPSNC accused the finance ministry of silence, saying it had heightened anxiety among workers.
“The entire public servants have viewed the silence of the Minister of Finance since his resumption as a surreptitious and clandestine way of compromising the necessary essence of directing the Accountant General of the Federation to effect the full payment,” the council wrote.
Warning Of Possible Unrest
The union described its latest request as a proactive effort to avert drastic actions by workers. “This request should be seen as a proactive approach from the national leadership to avert drastic actions from workers due to your insensitive silence to our two previous letters,” it added.
The JNPSNC is the umbrella body representing unions across the federal public service on salaries, allowances and conditions of service.
Its warning adds to growing pressure on the Federal Government to honour agreements reached with organised labour.
Labour leaders have repeatedly complained that many ministries and agencies have yet to implement the peculiar allowance, fuelling fresh agitation.
With living costs rising, unions insist that government must act quickly to prevent a nationwide industrial crisis.
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