FG’s workers transport allowance could cost N465.7bn as TUC rejects deal

Summary

The Federal Government’s six-month transport allowance for workers could cost about N465.7bn, while the Trade Union Congress has rejected the wage award.

Highlights

• The allowance is set at N70,000 a month for public servants from November, following a conciliation meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress in Abuja.
• The reported estimate is based on 1.1 million employee records on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System.
• The agreement covers six months across all levels, but the number of beneficiaries and final budget for the intervention were not specified.
• The TUC said it rejected the allowance and instead called for an immediate salary increase and implementation of outstanding agreements with health workers.
• Economists quoted in the report said the payment could offer short-term relief, but wider measures are still needed to ease commuting costs.