The Federal Government has approved the long-awaited 40 per cent peculiar allowance for federal civil servants following sustained pressure from organised labour and threats of industrial action.
The approval was reached on Tuesday during a marathon meeting presided over by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Esther Walson-Jack, at the Conference Hall of her office in Abuja.
According to officials, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) issued a circular for the implementation of the allowance, ending nearly two years of agitation by workers over delays linked to the new ₦70,000 minimum wage structure.
Walson-Jack, speaking at the meeting, stressed the need for stronger communication and trust between government management teams and labour unions, noting that dialogue remains essential to sustaining industrial harmony.
She acknowledged the constitutional rights of labour unions to make demands but urged government agencies to prioritise constructive engagement to prevent avoidable disputes in the public service.
The meeting also featured presentations from the leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), led by National Chairman Benjamin Uyanto, and the Executive Chairman of the NSIWC, Eyo Nta, who both commended the intervention of the Head of Service in resolving the dispute.
Following the discussions, an implementable circular on the 40 per cent peculiar allowance was formally presented to labour representatives, with implementation scheduled to begin on May 1, 2026, after workers had waited since July 2024 for adjustment under the revised wage framework.
The JNPSNC described the development as a major relief for workers, noting that it would improve welfare amid ongoing economic hardship, while also urging state governments to adopt the policy for subnational workers.
Although labour had previously fixed May 21 for a nationwide industrial action over the issue, union leaders said the intervention of the Head of the Civil Service helped avert a crisis and restore industrial calm.
