By Abdulsamad Abdulmalik
Tension is mounting across Nigeria’s public service as civil servants, under the aegis of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), have issued a Tuesday, March 31 ultimatum to the Federal Government over the delayed payment of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance tied to the N70,000 minimum wage.
The workers warned that failure to meet their demand before the deadline could trigger industrial action, raising fears of nationwide disruption as discontent deepens among affected employees.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), the National Chairman and National Secretary of JNPSNC (Trade Union Side), Benjamin Uyantomni and Olowoyo Gbenga, decried what they described as undue delay in issuing the necessary circular and salary templates required for the implementation of the allowance.
The union leaders noted that the allowance is expected to reflect the approved N70,000 national minimum wage, which came into effect in July 2024 following its enactment into law.
According to them, the Commission had earlier issued a circular on the matter, signed by its former Executive Chairman, Ekpo U. O. Nta, dated March 10, 2023, indicating that the 40 per cent peculiar allowance had already been approved, with implementation initiated under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
They, however, lamented that despite a comprehensive presentation made by the union to facilitate seamless implementation, progress on the matter appears to have stalled.
The letter further recalled that a follow-up correspondence dated September 1, 2025, was also submitted to the Commission, but had yet to receive any response.
“This delay has denied thousands of public servants their rightful entitlement to the 40 per cent peculiar allowance aligned with the N70,000 minimum wage structure,” the union stated.
The workers warned that continued inaction could jeopardise industrial harmony within the public service, stressing that the council would not hesitate to take decisive action if the issue remains unresolved by the set deadline.
