Federal Govt Refutes Report On 40% Peculiar Allowance

The federal government, through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has clarified the air over media reports suggesting the approval of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance for federal civil servants.

In a statement signed by the director of Press and Public Relations for the OHCSF, Mrs Eno Olotu, the OHCSF clarified that it neither approved nor formally conveyed any such approval to the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) or any labour union.

“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 read.

The OHCSF explained that the statutory responsibility for issuing and communicating such circulars rests solely with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), noting that the NSIWC issued the circular in question on 23rd April, 2026.

According to the statement, a meeting convened by the Head of the Civil Service on Tuesday, 12th May, 2026, was strictly an interventionist and conciliatory engagement.

“The meeting was strictly an interventionist and conciliatory engagement aimed at facilitating dialogue between the organised labour under its jurisdiction and the NSIWC, to promote mutual understanding, and avert any breakdown in labour relations within the Federal Civil Service,” the statement added.

The OHCSF recalled that on 24th April, 2026, the Head of the Civil Service announced at a press briefing that the federal government had approved a robust welfare package for civil servants.

“These include full Duty Tour Allowance for approved trainings, upward review of Peculiar Allowance across grade levels on the CONPSS and CONRAISS structures, increased Estacode and Book Allowance, as well as a N10 billion housing loan scheme to expand affordable home ownership for public servants,” the statement reads.

The Office reiterated its commitment to fostering peaceful labour relations and sustaining collaborative engagement with all stakeholders toward continued industrial harmony in the Federal Civil Service.