Organised labour in the federal public service has issued a Friday ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate release of funds to settle three months’ outstanding wage awards and other pending allowances owed to workers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, representing the trade union side, issued the warning on behalf of the eight unions in the civil service.

The unions stated that failure to meet the deadline of Friday, February 27, 2026, would force them to take decisive action.

They accused the Federal Government of deliberately withholding funds meant for workers, even though relevant agencies are reportedly ready to process payments once the funds are released.

The wage award dispute has lingered for over two years, stemming from the Federal Government’s approval of a N70,000 minimum wage following the removal of fuel subsidy.

Labour leaders noted that while partial payments were made after sustained pressure, three months remain unpaid since July 2024, heightening tension among federal workers.

In a letter to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the union stated, “This wage award has dragged on for over two years now since the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage payment was approved.”

The unions recalled that “the wage award was approved as a cushioning measure following fuel subsidy removal and was to run until the commencement of the new minimum wage implementation in July 2024.”

They added, “It is beyond the imagination and expectations of federal workers that the federal government left five months unpaid ab initio; not until there was much pressure there and then did the federal government effect the staggered payment of two months, leaving the balance of three months since July 2024 unpaid.”

The JNPSNC further alleged that “all relevant government agencies responsible for effecting payment are prepared to do so but are constrained by the non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance.”

They stated, “Available information revealed that all government agencies responsible for the payment of the wage award are ready to pay, but this is subject to the release of funds by the Honourable Minister of Finance, who is deliberately holding back the money.”

Beyond the wage award, the unions highlighted other financial obligations requiring urgent attention.

These include promotion arrears for workers promoted over three years ago, salary arrears for employees recruited between 2015 and 2024, and the accurate payment of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance based on the N70,000 minimum wage.

Warning of potential industrial unrest, the unions declared, “If the money meant for the payment of the wage award is not released on or before Friday, 27th February, 2026, the national leadership will take the bull by the horn and ensure appropriate actions are taken.”

They insisted that workers’ entitlements should not be treated lightly and that employees should not suffer undue hardship due to delayed payments.

Copies of the letter were forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, security agencies, and affiliate unions for urgent attention and necessary action.