DistantNews
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Allowance hike: NLC demands more as FG sets October implementation date

From The Punch · (5m ago) English Mixed tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Nigerian Federal Government has approved an increase in duty tour, estacode, and other allowances for civil servants on Grade Levels 01-17, effective October 1, 2026.
  • The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) deems the increment inadequate, arguing it fails to address the impact of inflation on workers' living conditions.
  • The revised allowances include significant adjustments for Duty Tour Allowance, estacode for foreign trips, and training allowances, with specific provisions for teachers in science and mathematics.

The Nigerian Federal Government has announced a significant review and upward adjustment of allowances for civil servants across Grade Levels 01 to 17. This move, slated for implementation on October 1, 2026, aims to update provisions for duty tours, estacode, training, and professional development, reflecting changes in economic conditions and operational requirements within the public service.

In line with the provision of Rule 140101(b) of the Federal Public Service Rules (2021 edition), the commission hereby conveys approval for the review of the following allowances for officers on GL 01–17

— Ekpo U.O. Nta, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages CommissionCommunicating the approval for the review of allowances for civil servants.

The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) conveyed the approval through a circular, detailing revised rates for various allowances. For instance, the Duty Tour Allowance sees a substantial increase, with senior officers on Grade Levels 16-17 now entitled to N109,000, a considerable jump from previous rates. Similarly, estacode allowances for international travel have been adjusted, with permanent secretaries set to receive $1,040 per day. These adjustments are intended to better align with the cost of living and operational demands faced by public servants undertaking official duties.

However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed dissatisfaction with the approved increment, particularly regarding the peculiar allowance. The NLC argues that the increase falls short of mitigating the severe impact of inflation on the purchasing power and living standards of Nigerian workers. This sentiment underscores a persistent concern among labor unions that government-backed wage and allowance reviews often lag behind the rapid erosion of economic value, leaving workers struggling to cope with rising costs.

This approval takes effect from 1st October, 2026

— Ekpo U.O. Nta, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages CommissionStating the implementation date for the revised allowances.

The revised package also includes enhanced provisions for training and professional development, with allowances for civil servants undertaking courses of varying durations. Specific attention has been given to the education sector, with updated allowances for science and mathematics teachers, as well as laboratory attendants. While the government presents these changes as a step towards improving welfare, the NLC's reaction highlights the ongoing dialogue and potential friction between labor and government over the adequacy of compensation in the face of economic challenges.

The Nigeria Labour Congress has described the increment in peculiar allowance as inadequate, saying it fell short of addressing the impact of inflation on workers’ living conditions, and called for broader interventions to improve welfare.

— Nigeria Labour CongressExpressing dissatisfaction with the approved allowance increment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog