FG Approves ₦70,000 Monthly Transport Allowance for Workers for Six Months

By Chibuzo Obidike | IchieTimes

The Federal Government has approved a monthly transport allowance of ₦70,000 for public service workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, as part of efforts to ease the rising cost of living.

The decision followed a conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Tuesday amid renewed demands for improved workers’ welfare and the implementation of outstanding agreements.

Under the agreement, workers are expected to receive the transport support for six months. The government also approved the payment of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026, in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.

However, the meeting ended without an agreement on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage. Both parties agreed that a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and begin meetings immediately.

The resolutions were contained in a memorandum of understanding signed by the Director General of Budget, Timi Yakubu; NLC President, Joe Ajaero; the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office, Dr Garba Abdul S.U.; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingiyadi.

The agreement also covered concerns relating to health workers’ remuneration, tax relief and hazard allowances for agricultural officers.

Although the transport intervention is expected to provide temporary relief for workers facing rising commuting costs, the memorandum did not specify the exact monthly payment dates or the administrative arrangements for disbursement.

The latest agreement comes amid continuing pressure on households following increases in transportation and other essential expenses since the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023.

While the government and organised labour have reached agreements on some financial interventions, the timing of the minimum wage implementation remains unresolved.