..to reconvene in one month to review implementation of agreement

ABUJA – The Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached far-reaching resolutions at conciliation meetings convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, including a six-month transport intervention of N70,000 for workers across all levels.

The meetings, held on October 22 and 27, 2026, in Abuja, followed the communique issued at the end of the Joint meeting of the NLC’s Central Working Committee (CWC) and National Executive Council (NEC).

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, chaired the meeting, with Federal Government representatives in attendance. The NLC delegation was led by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

According to a statement by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Annah Daniel, dated October 27, the meeting resolved as follows:Minimum wage: A Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee will be constituted and begin work immediately. However, both sides disagreed on the effective date of implementation.

Transport intervention: The Federal Government will pay N70,000 across all levels for six months, starting from November 2026.

Peculiar Allowance: The Federal Government has approved the allowance with effect from May 1, 2026. Payment of arrears will begin in November 2026 in three equal monthly instalments.

Health workers’ arrears: Nineteen months of arrears of allowances owed to health workers will be paid within three months, effective December 2026.

Tax relief: Since tax is a statutory matter, the issue of tax relief for workers will be taken to the National Executive Council (NEC).

Hazard allowance for agricultural workers: The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has submitted the list of beneficiaries and cost implications to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for verification.

The verification is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which NSIWC will issue the template for implementation.CONHESS adjustment: NSIWC promised to complete the update of the cost implication within three weeks, to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to decide on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

The meeting also urged state and local governments to key into the intervention process, while unions were enjoined to push for its implementation at their respective levels.

Both parties agreed to reconvene after one month to appraise the level of implementation of the resolutions.

Also in attendance were the Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu; the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Dr. Garba Abdul S.U.; and the National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga.