Organised labour in the federal public service has issued a Friday ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria, demanding the immediate release of funds to clear three months of outstanding wage awards and other unpaid allowances owed to workers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

According to the leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) Trade Union Side, the unions warned that failure to meet the February 27, 2026 deadline would force the eight civil service unions to take decisive action.

They accused the government of deliberately withholding funds meant for workers, despite claims that relevant agencies are ready to process payments once the money is released.

The dispute over the wage award, which has lasted more than two years, followed the government’s approval of a ₦70,000 minimum wage after the removal of fuel subsidy.

Labour leaders said that although some payments were made after sustained pressure, three months have remained unpaid since July 2024, heightening tension among federal workers.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the union stated, “This wage award has dragged on for over two years now since the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage payment was approved.”

The unions recalled that “the wage award was approved as a cushioning measure following fuel subsidy removal and was to run until the commencement of the new minimum wage implementation in July 2024.

“It is beyond the imagination and expectations of federal workers that the federal government left five months unpaid ab initio; not until there was much pressure there and then did the federal government effect the staggered payment of two months, leaving the balance of three months since July 2024 unpaid.”

The JNPSNC further alleged that “all relevant government agencies responsible for effecting payment are prepared to do so but are constrained by the non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance.

“Available information revealed that all government agencies responsible for the payment of the wage award are ready to pay, but this is subject to the release of funds by the Honourable Minister of Finance, who is deliberately holding back the money.”

Beyond the wage award, the unions listed other outstanding obligations requiring urgent attention, including promotion arrears for workers elevated more than three years ago, salary arrears for employees recruited between 2015 and 2024, and the proper payment of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance based on the ₦70,000 minimum wage.

Warning of possible industrial action, the unions declared, “If the money meant for the payment of the wage award is not released on or before Friday, 27th February, 2026, the national leadership will take the bull by the horn and ensure appropriate actions are taken.”

They added that workers’ entitlements should not be treated lightly, insisting employees must not be subjected to hardship due to delayed payments.

Copies of the letter were also sent to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, security agencies, and affiliate unions for urgent attention and necessary action.