ABUJA — The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, has suspended its August 11 ultimatum to the Federal Government following fresh assurances that outstanding wage awards owed to federal workers will be paid before August 15, 2026.

The labour body had earlier given the government until August 11 to address unresolved workers’ welfare issues, including the payment of two months’ outstanding wage awards for March and April 2026 and the implementation of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance for eligible federal public servants.

The council had expressed concern that previous letters sent to the Ministry of Finance on May 5 and July 9 had not received responses. Labour leaders warned that continued delay could trigger unrest among federal workers and potentially lead to industrial action.

However, the situation changed following a meeting in Abuja between the leadership of the JNPSNC and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele.

At the meeting, the Federal Government reportedly directed that the outstanding two-month wage award be paid on or before August 15, 2026. Government officials also assured labour representatives that efforts would be made to fund the 40 per cent peculiar allowance through a supplementary budget, working with the Budget Office to provide the required resources.

The meeting also addressed outstanding promotion arrears and other workers’ entitlements, with officials saying that payment processes for some affected batches were either being completed or had already progressed through the necessary approval stages.

Following the discussions, the JNPSNC announced the suspension of its August 11 ultimatum, saying the decision was taken in response to commitments made by the government during the meeting.

Labour, however, made it clear that it would continue to monitor implementation of the agreements, particularly the wage award, peculiar allowance, promotion arrears and other outstanding benefits.

The dispute had threatened to deepen tensions between federal workers and the government at a time when employees are facing increased pressure from the rising cost of living.

With the ultimatum now suspended, attention will shift to August 15, the new deadline by which the government has promised that eligible federal workers will begin receiving the outstanding wage award.