The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has defended the N70000 monthly transport allowance agreed with the Federal Government.
The union insisted that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) was not part of the negotiations that produced the agreement.
In a circular signed by its National Secretary Gbenga Olowoyo the council said the six-month allowance effective from this month was intended to cushion the impact of rising transport costs on public servants.
The agreement was reached on October 27 after more than six hours of negotiations chaired by the Minister of Labour and Employment Mohammed Dingyadi with the participation of the Nigeria Labour Congress JNPSNC and the Joint Health Sector Unions.
The council also said the agreement provided for a 40 per cent peculiar allowance reflecting the N70000 minimum wage to be implemented across federal state and local government levels from November 2026. Arrears dating from May 1 2026 are to be paid in three instalments.
It added that the government had agreed to establish a tripartite negotiation committee involving the government organised labour and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association.
On the TUC’s rejection of the transport allowance the council said the congress was not involved in the negotiations but remained free to pursue a higher allowance through its own engagements with the government.
The agreement also directed the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission to complete work on adjusting the Consolidated Health Salary Structure within three weeks and submit its recommendations to the Presidential Committee on Salaries.
The council said it would pay outstanding health workers’ allowances covering 19 months in three instalments beginning in December 2026. It added that the commission had also been directed to issue a circular on hazard allowance for agricultural professional officers within three weeks.
On tax relief the JNPSNC said it would forward the proposal to the National Economic Council for consideration because it involved both federal and state governments.
It said the parties would reconvene within one month to review the implementation of the agreement urging governments at all levels to honour their commitments.
The council maintained that the TUC’s opposition to the transport allowance would not affect the implementation of the agreement.