Organised labour in the federal public service has given the Federal Government a Friday deadline to release funds for the settlement of three months’ outstanding wage awards and other pending allowances owed to workers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union Side) conveyed the ultimatum in a letter to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, warning that failure to meet the February 27, 2026, deadline would force the eight unions in the civil service to take decisive action.

The unions accused the government of withholding funds meant for workers, noting that relevant agencies are prepared to process payments once the Ministry of Finance releases the required funds.

The wage award dispute, ongoing for more than two years, arose following the Federal Government’s approval of a N70,000 minimum wage after the removal of the fuel subsidy. Labour leaders said that while partial payments have been made after sustained pressure, three months remain unpaid since July 2024, escalating tension within the federal workforce.

In a letter to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the union stated: “This wage award has dragged on for over two years since the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage payment was approved.”

The unions recalled that “the wage award was approved as a cushioning measure following the removal of the fuel subsidy and was to continue until the commencement of the new minimum wage implementation in July 2024. It is beyond the expectations of federal workers that the Federal Government left five months unpaid initially; only after sustained pressure did the government effect staggered payment of two months, leaving a balance of three months unpaid since July 2024.”

The JNPSNC further alleged that “all relevant government agencies responsible for effecting payment are prepared to do so but are constrained by the non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance. Available information shows that payments are ready to be made, but they depend on the release of funds by the Honourable Minister of Finance, who is allegedly holding back the money.”

Beyond wage arrears, the unions highlighted other outstanding obligations requiring urgent attention, including promotion arrears for workers elevated more than three years ago, salary arrears for employees recruited between 2015 and 2024, and proper implementation of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance based on the N70,000 minimum wage.

Warning of possible industrial action, the unions stated: “If the money meant for the payment of the wage award is not released on or before Friday, 27th February, 2026, the national leadership will take decisive action.”

They stressed that workers’ entitlements must not be treated lightly and that employees should not be subjected to undue hardship due to delayed payments.

Copies of the letter were also sent to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, security agencies, and affiliate unions for urgent attention.