The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has warned the Federal Government of a possible industrial crisis if the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy fails to convene an urgent meeting to address outstanding welfare issues affecting federal public servants.
The union, in a letter dated July 31, 2026, accused the minister of ignoring repeated requests to resolve the non-payment of two months’ wage award arrears and the implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance for eligible workers.
The letter, referenced JNPSNC/COR/VOL.1/26, was jointly signed by the National Chairman of the council, Comrade Benjamin Anto Uyanto, mni, and the National Secretary, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga.
According to the union, two earlier letters sent to the minister’s office received no response despite raising critical welfare issues affecting federal workers.
The first letter, dated May 5, 2026, requested the payment of the outstanding two-month wage award to federal public servants, while the second, dated July 9, 2026, sought the implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance in line with a circular issued by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, effective May 1, 2026.
The JNPSNC expressed disappointment over what it described as the minister’s “ignoble silence”, noting that neither correspondence was acknowledged nor acted upon.
The council demanded the immediate implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance as approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission and the full payment of the outstanding wage award for March and April 2026.
It also requested an urgent meeting with the minister on or before August 11, 2026, to resolve the issues, warning that failure to do so could trigger industrial unrest across the federal public service.
According to the union, the meeting would provide an opportunity to address the outstanding issues, prevent growing discontent among public servants and avert a looming industrial crisis.
The council further alleged that workers had interpreted the minister’s silence since assuming office as an attempt to frustrate the payment of the outstanding wage award and the implementation of the approved allowance.
Describing its latest request as a proactive effort to prevent industrial action, the JNPSNC warned that continued inaction by the government could leave workers with no option but to embark on drastic measures.
The council added that relevant government officials, as well as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had been notified of the situation and the possibility of industrial action if the outstanding issues remain unresolved.
