FG approves 70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers
The federal government has approved a monthly transport allowance of N70,000 for public service workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
The approval was announced in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) issued at the end of a conciliation meeting between government representatives and leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The MoU was signed by Tanimu Yakubu, director-general of the budget office; Joe Ajaero, NLC president; Garba Abdul, permanent secretary of the service welfare office in the office of the head of the civil service of the federation; and Muhammad Dingyadi, minister of labour and employment.
The meeting followed weeks of threats of industrial action by organised labour over the rising cost of living, workers’ welfare and outstanding agreements.
According to the MoU, the government also approved the payment of peculiar allowance arrears dating back to May 1, 2026, in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.
Although the parties failed to agree on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage, they agreed to constitute a committee to negotiate the matter, with meetings to commence immediately.
The MoU also outlined agreements on outstanding allowances, health workers’ remuneration, tax relief and hazard allowances for agricultural officers.
The document said the NLC leadership expressed concern over the federal government’s attitude towards the issues raid.
In response, the government said it “fully respects the right of the congress to advocate for improved working conditions for Nigerian workers and is genuinely trying to address every aspect of it through a structured intervention.”
However, the document, did not specify when the N70,000 allowance would be paid each month or provide details of the administrative arrangements for its disbursement.
The development follows agitation by workers’ unions over the rising cost of living, driven partly by high petrol prices.
