The Federal Government has assured federal civil servants that payment of the outstanding N35,000 wage award arrears will commence before August 15, while efforts are also being intensified to clear pending promotion arrears.
The reassurance comes against the backdrop of growing concerns from organised labour over delays in implementing workers’ welfare commitments, including unpaid wage awards, promotion arrears and other salary-related benefits.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Taiwo Oyedele, during a meeting with the leadership of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Trade Side, led by its National President, Kabiru Ado Minjibir, in Abuja.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Efe Ovuakporie.
According to the statement, “The Federal Government has assured public servants that the outstanding wage award will be paid before the middle of August, while promotion arrears are being processed as part of ongoing efforts to fulfil its commitments to workers.”
Addressing labour leaders, Oyedele said the Tinubu administration had already begun working on many of the concerns raised by workers before receiving their formal requests, insisting that the government remains committed to honouring every agreement reached with organised labour.
He said, “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 minister disclosed that the process for releasing funds for the wage award had reached its final stage and expressed optimism that payments would begin before the middle of August.
He stated, “The necessary release for payment of the outstanding wage award is being concluded, and we are confident that eligible public servants will begin receiving the payment before the middle of the month.”
Oyedele also confirmed that outstanding promotion arrears were being processed in line with established government procedures.
He subsequently directed officials of the ministry to review all submissions made by the negotiating council, engage relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and fast-track action on unresolved labour-related matters.
While acknowledging workers’ concerns over delayed implementation of previous agreements, the minister pledged that the government would continue to build confidence through transparency and sustained engagement.
According to him, “Our objective is to build a system where issues are resolved proactively. We want workers to have confidence that once government gives its word, it will honour that commitment.”
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Raymond Omachi, assured labour leaders that the ministry would deepen collaboration with workers’ representatives to ensure approved entitlements are processed without unnecessary delays.
He said the ministry would continue working closely with relevant institutions to accelerate the resolution of pending welfare issues.
According to him, “The ministry will continue to engage relevant government institutions to fast-track the resolution of outstanding labour issues, stressing that constructive dialogue remains the most effective path to sustaining industrial harmony.”
On promotion arrears, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, disclosed that Batch 7 promotion arrears, omitted during an earlier payment exercise, are now being processed alongside Batch 9.
He expressed optimism that affected officers would receive their entitlements once processing is completed.
Danjuma added that government was equally addressing outstanding issues relating to the Peculiar Allowance and other labour-related claims through engagement with relevant agencies.
Providing further clarification on the payment process, the Director of Cash Management, Christiana Osho, revealed that reconciliation of the outstanding wage award had been completed.
She explained that the release of funds was now at the concluding stage and that eligible workers would begin receiving the arrears immediately after the funds are released, while promotion arrears would continue to be processed according to the approved schedule.
Earlier, the National President of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Kabiru Ado Minjibir, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently resolve pending workers’ welfare issues.
He identified the unpaid wage award, promotion arrears, salary relativity for health workers and other outstanding entitlements as issues requiring immediate attention.
According to him, prompt implementation of the agreements would strengthen industrial harmony and restore workers’ confidence in government’s commitment to their welfare.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to continuous dialogue and cooperation aimed at resolving outstanding labour issues across the federal public service.
President Bola Tinubu had approved the N35,000 monthly wage award in October 2023 as a temporary measure to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and the rising cost of living pending the conclusion of negotiations on a new national minimum wage.
Although payments commenced later that year, implementation became inconsistent, leaving several months unpaid.
In April 2025, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation announced that the outstanding five months would be settled in instalments after workers received their April salaries.
The first instalment was paid in May 2025, followed by a second payment in August 2025, while the remaining balance was scheduled for phased settlement.
The latest assurance follows renewed pressure from the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, which recently urged the Minister of Finance to convene an emergency meeting over the delayed payment of two outstanding months of the wage award and the implementation of the 40 per cent Peculiar Allowance for federal workers.
The union warned that unresolved welfare issues could fuel discontent among workers if not urgently addressed.
In a letter signed by the council’s National Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, on behalf of the National Chairman, Benjamin Yanto, the union expressed disappointment that two earlier letters sent to the minister had yet to receive a response.
According to the JPSNC, the proposed meeting was intended to find an amicable resolution to the outstanding issues and avert what it described as a looming industrial crisis.
It stated, “The national leadership expects that this meeting will help to address the above-stated outstanding issues to prevent palpable disquiet and the brewing industrial crisis.”
(Ripples)