The Federal Government has approved the payment of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance for federal civil servants, bringing to an end months of negotiations and threats of industrial action by organised labour.

The approval followed a high-level meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja and chaired by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Esther Walson-Jack.

During the meeting, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) formally presented the implementation circular for the allowance, marking a significant breakthrough in discussions surrounding wage adjustments linked to the new ₦70,000 minimum wage structure.

Addressing stakeholders at the meeting, Walson-Jack emphasised the need for sustained communication and mutual trust between government institutions and labour unions to prevent avoidable industrial disputes.

She acknowledged the constitutional right of labour unions to press for improved welfare for workers, while also stressing the importance of dialogue and constructive engagement in maintaining industrial harmony within the public service.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, led by its National Chairman, Benjamin Uyanto, alongside the Executive Chairman of the NSIWC, Mr Eyo Nta. Both parties presented their positions before the Head of Service facilitated a resolution acceptable to all stakeholders.

Uyanto and Nta commended Walson-Jack for her intervention, describing it as instrumental in resolving the prolonged disagreement over the allowance.

At the end of the deliberations, the official implementation template for the 40 per cent peculiar allowance was presented to the leadership of the JNPSNC.

Confirming the development, the National Secretary of the JNPSNC (Trade Union Side), Olowoyo Gbenga, described the approval as a major milestone for Nigerian workers amid prevailing economic challenges.

According to him, implementation of the allowance will commence from May 1, 2026, following nearly two years of agitation by workers since July 2024 for wage adjustments tied to the new minimum wage framework.

Gbenga also called on state governments to adopt the implementation template to enable workers at the state and local government levels benefit from the initiative.

He noted that many workers and their families had been facing severe economic hardship, making the approval a timely relief measure.

The union leader further disclosed that the JNPSNC had earlier scheduled a nationwide industrial action for May 21 over delays in the implementation process, accusing the NSIWC of initially failing to address the issue adequately.

However, he said the intervention of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation helped avert the planned showdown and restore confidence among workers.

“With this development, workers are expected to embrace industrial peace and continue to support the effective functioning of the public service,” he said.