By Ayodele Quadri, Lagos Times Correspondent
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Federal Government has assured public servants across federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that outstanding wage award arrears will be disbursed before mid-August 2026.
The commitment was made on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, during an executive meeting at the Ministry of Finance in Abuja with the leadership of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Trade Side, led by its National President, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir.
The meeting followed an ultimatum issued on August 4 by organized labor demanding an urgent audience over unpaid wage award balances for March and April 2026 and the implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Key Operational Highlights
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Mid-August Deadline: Minister Taiwo Oyedele confirmed that administrative approvals and release frameworks for the outstanding wage award payments are being finalized, with funds expected to hit public servants’ accounts before the middle of August 2026.
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Promotion Arrears Processing: The Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) have accelerated the verification of pending promotion arrears batches to clear outstanding obligations to eligible civil servants.
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40% Peculiar Allowance Review: Treasury and labor officials were directed to immediately cross-examine documents regarding the implementation status of the 40% peculiar allowance circular across affected MDAs.
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Industrial Relations Strategy: The Federal Government reaffirmed its policy of setting realistic, enforceable payment schedules to build trust and avert impending industrial action across the public service.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ FEDERAL WAGE AWARD & ARREARS PAYMENT MATRIX │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Lead Negotiator : Taiwo Oyedele (Minister of Finance & Economy) │
│ │
│ • Union Delegation : Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir (JPSNC President) │
│ │
│ • Key Commitments : • Outstanding Wage Award: Paid before Mid-August │
│ • Promotion Arrears: Active batch processing │
│ • Peculiar Allowance: Multi-MDA verification │
│ │
│ • Execution Status : Payment approvals finalizing at OAGF/Treasury │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘“When Government Makes Commitments, It Delivers”
Reassuring labor leaders regarding the administration’s fiscal commitment to federal workers, Minister of Finance Taiwo Oyedele stated:
“When government makes commitments, it delivers. We are not in the habit of making promises that cannot be fulfilled. Where there are outstanding issues, we will give realistic timelines and ensure they are implemented… The necessary releases for payment of the outstanding wage award are being concluded, and eligible public servants will begin receiving payments before the middle of August.” — Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy
Highlighting ongoing work to resolve civil service promotion backlogs, the minister added:
“Promotion arrears are receiving the required attention, with outstanding batches being processed in line with established procedures. We have directed officials to immediately review all documents presented by the Council, work with relevant MDAs, and accelerate action on all outstanding matters.” — Taiwo Oyedele
