The Federal Government has dismissed reports claiming it approved a 40 per cent peculiar allowance for federal civil servants, describing the reports as inaccurate.
In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Eno Olotu, the government clarified that no such approval or announcement was made by the office.
The clarification followed widespread media reports linking the alleged allowance approval to a press briefing held on April 24, 2026, during which the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation unveiled a welfare package for civil servants.
According to the statement, the approved welfare package included full Duty Tour Allowance for approved trainings in selected institutions, an upward review of peculiar allowances across grade levels under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), as well as increases in estacode, book allowance, and other entitlements.
However, Olotu stressed that no announcement was made regarding a 40 per cent peculiar allowance.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation neither approved nor formally conveyed the approval of the allowance to the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) or any labour union,” the statement said.
The government further explained that the authority to issue and communicate salary-related circulars rests solely with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
“The statutory responsibility for the issuance and communication of such circulars rests solely with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC),” the statement added.
It also clarified that the meeting convened by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, was strictly interventionist and aimed at promoting dialogue between organised labour and the NSIWC.
According to the government, the engagement was intended to foster mutual understanding and prevent disruptions to labour relations within the federal civil service.
