Federal Government grants N70,000 monthly transport allowance to workers for six months starting November 2026 to ease hardship.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a new monthly transport allowance of N70,000 for government workers across all grade levels to help ease the heavy burden of economic hardship in the country.
This extra money will be paid to workers every month for six months, starting in November 2026. The step was taken after government leaders held an official meeting with union leaders to find ways to reduce the daily struggles faced by workers due to high transportation costs and rising living expenses.
The resolution was finalized on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during a major peace and reconciliation meeting organized at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja.
Top government representatives and trade union leaders gathered to talk about worker welfare, unpaid arrears, and wages.
At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed on several decisions aimed at bringing immediate relief to public servants across the nation.
The official document confirming this agreement was formally signed by key government officials and labor union leaders.
The signers included the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero; the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu; the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Garba Abdul; and the National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Gbenga Olowoyo.
The agreement covers more than just the monthly transport money. Both parties also agreed on how to pay back outstanding money owed to workers over past months.
The official agreement document states:
“Payment of peculiar allowance arrears, approved with effect from 1 May 2026, would begin in November and be made in three equal monthly instalments.”
This means workers who are owed these special allowances will get their money spread across three months starting in November 2026.
In addition, the Federal Government promised to take care of long-standing debts owed to health workers who have been waiting for their unpaid allowances.
The document notes that the government has agreed to clear nineteen months of back-pay allowances for health staff over three months, beginning in December 2026.
The two groups also discussed setting up a special committee to handle the national minimum wage. They agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee will be formed right away and start sitting immediately to work out details.
However, government representatives and union leaders could not agree on the exact date when the new minimum wage should take effect, so further talks will take place.
Regarding taxes, workers asked for reduced tax deductions from their salaries to help them cope with tough economic times.
The government explained that taxation is regulated by federal laws, so the matter will be sent to the National Economic Council (NEC) for proper consideration.
Finally, the meeting addressed danger money for farm officers who work in high-risk areas. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has sent the full list of qualified workers and the cost calculations to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
The commission will check the names within two weeks and publish the final guidelines so the payments can begin.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
