The Federal Government has assured federal public servants that payment of the outstanding wage award will commence before the middle of August, while efforts are also being intensified to clear pending promotion arrears owed to workers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The assurance was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, during a meeting with the leadership of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Trade Side, led by its National President, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir.
The meeting focused on resolving outstanding labour issues, strengthening government–labour relations, and ensuring the timely implementation of agreements reached with federal workers.
According to the Minister, the Federal Government had already begun addressing many of the concerns raised by organised labour even before receiving its formal communication, adding that approvals for the payment of the outstanding wage award were in the final stages.
Oyedele expressed confidence that eligible workers would begin receiving the payments before the middle of August.
“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 stated.
He also disclosed that outstanding promotion arrears were receiving attention, noting that the remaining batches were being processed in line with established procedures.
The Minister directed relevant government officials to review documents submitted by the JPSNC, collaborate with affected MDAs, and fast-track action on all pending labour-related matters requiring intervention.
Oyedele acknowledged workers’ concerns over delays in implementing some agreements and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to building trust through transparency, regular engagement, and prompt action.
Earlier, the National President of the JPSNC, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, appealed to the Federal Government to expedite the resolution of outstanding labour issues, including the wage award, promotion arrears, salary relativity concerns affecting health workers, and other welfare matters.
He stressed that the timely implementation of government commitments would sustain industrial harmony and strengthen workers’ confidence in the administration.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Raymond Omachi, assured labour leaders that the ministry would continue collaborating with organised labour and relevant government institutions to ensure approved workers’ entitlements are processed and released without unnecessary delays.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, disclosed that Batch Seven promotion arrears, which were omitted during an earlier payment exercise, are now being processed alongside Batch Nine.
He expressed optimism that affected workers would receive their payments once processing is completed and added that discussions were ongoing with relevant MDAs to address issues relating to the Peculiar Allowance and other outstanding labour matters.
Providing an update on the payment process, the ministry’s Director of Cash Management, Christiana Osho, revealed that reconciliation for the outstanding wage award had been completed and that the release of funds had reached its final stage.
She explained that once the funds are released, eligible federal public servants would immediately begin receiving the outstanding wage award, while payment of promotion arrears would continue according to the approved schedule.
