Civil Servants Warn Oyedele Over Delayed 40% Allowance

Civil servants have written to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, issuing a fresh warning over the delayed implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance and payment of outstanding promotion arrears, telling him that “a stitch in time saves nine.” The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, urged the minister to urgently implement the allowance and clear promotion arrears for batches seven and nine, warning that continued delay was fuelling restiveness among public servants.

In a letter signed by National Secretary Olowoyo Gbenga, the council acknowledged the Federal Government’s recent payment of two months’ outstanding wage award, but stressed that the 40 per cent peculiar allowance remained unresolved. The council recalled writing to the minister earlier on 9 July 2026, which led to a meeting with his leadership on 5 August. It commended the minister for responding to its earlier appeal, stating: “The National leadership of JNPSNC wishes to acknowledge and commend your office for walking the talk with appreciable intervention.”

The council confirmed the minister had acted on resolutions reached during the meeting, particularly regarding the outstanding wage award payment, saying: “It is on the strength of the above that the national leadership wishes to appreciate your office for acting resourcefully on the resolutions arrived at the meeting the national leadership had with your revered person on Wednesday, 5th August, 2026.” It noted that the two months’ outstanding wage award had been paid within the agreed timeline, before 15 August 2026.

However, the workers stressed that another major issue raised during the meeting, the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, remained unresolved. The letter stated: “However, it will be recalled that another major issue that was presented before your esteemed person was the matter affecting the implementation of 40 per cent peculiar allowance that must reflect the N70,000 national minimum wage.”

The council explained that the allowance was backed by a circular issued and signed by the then Executive Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Eyo Nta, with implementation effective from 1 May 2026. Workers appealed urgently to Oyedele, stating: “The essence of this letter is to once again invite your office to the urgent need to revisit this issue and accelerate the implementation of the circular without any administrative red-tape blockade.”

The JNPSNC firmly rejected any suggestion that financial constraints could justify further delay, stating: “The national leadership of JNPSNC wants to state without hesitation that the Federal Government can implement this circular without a pinch of excuse(s) because resources are adequately available to pay the money.”

Regarding promotion arrears, the council listed payment for batches seven and nine among its two major outstanding demands, noting the arrears remained “currently hanging in the process of payment.” It specifically demanded implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance based on the commission’s circular, alongside payment of the outstanding promotion arrears for both batches.

While seeking to avoid further confrontation with the government, the workers urged the minister to act before the situation deteriorated, describing implementation as “very expedient and desirable” without requiring any ultimatum. The council based this appeal on the trust established during the August meeting, stating: “Arising from the above and taking a very cue from the trust and confidence built during the meeting the national leadership had with the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy on Wednesday, 5th August, 2026, it is very expedient and desirable for the implementation of the extant circular.”

The strongest warning in the letter addressed growing dissatisfaction among workers. The JNPSNC cautioned: “There is no doubting the fact that potential spontaneous reactions are building up among workers due to restiveness on this subject matter in the public service among public servants.” The council closed its warning with the admonition: “A stitch in time saves nine.”

This latest letter follows the government’s recent payment of the outstanding wage award, which itself came after earlier pressure from organised labour over unpaid entitlements. While that issue has now been addressed, the unresolved 40 per cent peculiar allowance and promotion arrears remain sources of tension capable of generating further unrest within the public service.

Do you think the government will act swiftly enough to prevent further unrest among civil servants over this unresolved allowance?