The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached an agreement on a six-month transport intervention of N70,000 for workers, alongside plans to clear outstanding allowances owed to health workers.

The resolutions were reached on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during a conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja to address concerns over rising living costs, fuel prices, workers’ welfare and the implementation of the national minimum wage.

Under the agreement, the government will provide a transport intervention of N70,000 across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026.

The meeting also approved the payment of peculiar allowances with effect from May 1, 2026, with outstanding arrears scheduled to be paid in three equal monthly instalments starting in November.

In addition, the government agreed to settle 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers within three months, beginning in December 2026.

The agreement followed an earlier meeting held on October 22, during which labour presented demands relating to the rising cost of living, petrol prices and outstanding workers’ entitlements.

Minimum Wage Talks to Begin Immediately

The Federal Government and organised labour also agreed to establish a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee and commence discussions immediately.

However, the two parties did not reach an agreement on the effective date for implementing the new national minimum wage.

The disagreement leaves the timing of the next wage adjustment unresolved, even as both sides have committed to beginning negotiations.

On workers’ demand for tax relief, the meeting resolved that the issue would be referred to the National Economic Council for consideration, noting that taxation is governed by statutory provisions.

Agricultural Workers, Health Sector Allowances

The meeting also considered the proposed hazard allowance for agricultural officers.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of beneficiaries and the financial implications of the proposed allowance to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for verification.

The verification exercise is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the commission will issue an implementation template.

Similarly, the commission is expected to complete an updated assessment of the financial implications of the proposed adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) within three weeks.

The assessment will enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to consider the proposed adjustment.

State, Local Governments Urged to Participate

The Federal Government and the NLC urged state and local governments to participate in the intervention process and implement the agreed measures for their workers.

The parties also agreed to reconvene after one month to assess progress in implementing the resolutions.

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

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and the National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Olowoyo Gbenga, signed on behalf of organised labour.

The agreement is intended to address some of labour’s outstanding demands, although negotiations over the implementation date of the new minimum wage and the proposed tax relief remain unresolved.