Civil servants threaten nationwide strike over “secret” 40% pay deal

Federal civil servants are threatening to down tools from May 21 over allegations that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission manipulated the implementation of a newly approved 40% peculiar allowance.

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council accused the NSIWC of excluding unions from the process and releasing a computation it called “shrouded in complexity, secrecy and suspicion.”

In a letter dated May 6, 2026, JNPSNC leaders Benjamin Uyanto and Olowoyo Gbenga said the commission’s approach violated the principle of collective bargaining and created distrust among workers.

The union insists the 40% allowance should be calculated based on the N70,000 national minimum wage in the National Minimum Wage Act 2024. It alleges the NSIWC’s formula deviates from that and delays implementation deliberately to save government funds.

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“The approach of the Office of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission is tantamount to unilateral decision-making full of complexity and shrouded with suspicion,” the letter stated.

JNPSNC is demanding an immediate release of an unambiguous circular and allowance table reflecting the 40% increase. It also wants all stakeholders included in future negotiations.

While commending President Bola Tinubu and Head of Service Esther Walson-Jack for approving other welfare packages on April 24, the council warned that failure to resolve the allowance dispute could trigger a nationwide strike.

Labour observers say the standoff could lead to one of the biggest shutdowns in the federal public service in recent years if not resolved quickly.