RismadarVoice Reporters, May 14, 2026
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has clarified that it has not approved or formally communicated any 40 per cent peculiar allowance for federal civil servants to labour unions or negotiating bodies.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the office stressed that it had neither conveyed such approval to the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council nor any other labour organisation within the federal civil service structure.
The clarification comes amid growing public interest and reported misunderstandings surrounding the implementation of a circular relating to allowances for federal workers.
According to the OHCSF, the statutory responsibility for issuing and communicating circulars on salaries, allowances, and related matters lies solely with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which issued the referenced circular on April 23, 2026.
The office explained that a meeting convened on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation was strictly interventionist and conciliatory in nature.
It said the engagement was aimed at fostering dialogue between organised labour unions and the NSIWC, with a view to preventing industrial tensions and ensuring continued stability within the federal public service.
The OHCSF, in the statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Eno Olotu, reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining industrial harmony and constructive engagement with stakeholders.
It further noted that it remains focused on strengthening cooperation between government institutions and labour representatives to support effective public service delivery.
The clarification effectively distances the OHCSF from claims suggesting it had directly approved or implemented the disputed allowance structure, while emphasising that due process must be followed in all remuneration-related decisions within the federal civil service.
