Workers Threaten Strike Over Delayed 40% Allowance

Workers represented by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have issued a March 31 ultimatum to the federal government regarding the delayed implementation of a 40% peculiar allowance linked to the N70,000 minimum wage. The council expressed frustration over the lack of action since a formal proposal was submitted on September 1, 2025, and criticized the delay in issuing necessary circulars for salary templates required for the allowance's rollout.

The JNPSNC, led by Benjamin Uyantomni Olowoyo and Gbenga, emphasized that failure to meet the deadline would result in industrial action, reflecting growing dissatisfaction among public servants. The peculiar allowance is designed to address disparities in pay for specific job conditions within the federal civil service.

The ultimatum signals potential wider labor unrest in Nigeria's public sector, particularly amid rising inflation and declining real wages, which have eroded workers' purchasing power.