By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Federal Government has assured federal civil servants that it will begin paying the outstanding N35,000 wage award arrears before the middle of August 2026. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, gave the assurance during a meeting with the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) in Abuja. The government said it had completed reconciliation of the payments and reached the final stage of releasing funds to fulfil its commitment to workers and maintain industrial harmony.
Government Moves to Settle Outstanding Wage Awards
The assurance followed renewed pressure from organised labour over delays in implementing workers’ welfare agreements.
A statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Efe Ovuakporie, said the government had concluded the approval process for the release of funds.
Oyedele expressed confidence that eligible workers would start receiving the outstanding wage award before the middle of August.
“The necessary release for payment of the outstanding wage award is being concluded, and we are confident that eligible public servants will begin receiving the payment before the middle of the month,” he said.
He also assured labour leaders that the government was processing outstanding promotion arrears in line with approved procedures.
Promotion Arrears Processing Underway
The Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, confirmed that Batch 7 promotion arrears, omitted during an earlier exercise, were now being processed alongside Batch 9.
He said affected workers would receive their entitlements immediately after processing ends.
Danjuma added that the government was also working with relevant agencies to resolve issues surrounding the payment of the 40 per cent Peculiar Allowance and other outstanding labour claims.
Similarly, the Director of Cash Management, Christiana Osho, disclosed that reconciliation of the wage award arrears had been completed.
She explained that eligible workers would receive payments immediately after the release of funds. She also confirmed that promotion arrears would continue according to the approved payment schedule.
Labour Union Seeks Urgent Resolution
Before the meeting, the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council had written to the Minister of Finance, requesting an urgent meeting over unresolved workers’ welfare issues.
In a letter signed by the National Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, on behalf of National Chairman Benjamin Yanto, the council expressed disappointment that two earlier letters received no response.
The union said it sought the meeting to resolve outstanding welfare demands and prevent what it described as a brewing industrial crisis.
It urged the minister to hold the meeting on or before August 11, warning that continued delays could trigger unrest among public servants.
The council stated that meaningful dialogue would help address unresolved issues and strengthen industrial peace.
Government Pledges Transparency and Regular Engagement
Oyedele acknowledged labour’s concerns over delays in implementing previous agreements.
However, he assured union leaders that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remained committed to honouring every agreement reached with workers.
“When the government makes commitments, it delivers. We are not in the habit of making promises that cannot be fulfilled. Where there are outstanding issues, we will give realistic timelines and ensure they are implemented,” he said.
He directed officials of the ministry to review all submissions presented by the council, engage relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and fast-track action on unresolved labour matters.
According to him, the government intends to build confidence through transparency, regular engagement and proactive resolution of labour disputes.
Finance Ministry Promises Faster Processing
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Raymond Omachi, pledged closer collaboration with organised labour.
He said the ministry would continue working with relevant government institutions to accelerate the processing of approved workers’ entitlements.
Omachi stressed that constructive dialogue remained the most effective way to sustain industrial harmony across the federal public service.
Background to the N35,000 Wage Award
President Bola Tinubu approved the N35,000 monthly provisional wage award in October 2023 to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal and rising living costs.
The government initially approved the payment for six months while negotiating a new national minimum wage with organised labour.
Although payments started in late 2023, implementation later became irregular, leaving several months unpaid.
In April 2025, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation announced that the five outstanding months would be paid in instalments of N35,000.
Workers received the first tranche in May 2025 and the second in August 2025, while the remaining instalments were scheduled for phased payment.
JNPSNC President Kabiru Ado Minjibir urged the government to speed up payment of all outstanding entitlements, including wage awards, promotion arrears, salary relativity for health workers and other welfare commitments.
He said timely implementation would strengthen industrial harmony and restore workers’ confidence in the government’s commitment to their welfare.
