From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Labour tension is brewing in Kwara State as four unions have issued a 14-day ultimatum, to the state government, demanding the inclusion of workers in agencies and parastatals in the payment of the approved 30 per cent peculiar allowance.
The unions involved are the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), the National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Product Workers (NUPPPPROW), The Herald Chapel, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Kwara State Council, and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU), Kwara State Council.
In a letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the Head of Service, the unions expressed displeasure over what they described as the persistent exclusion of workers in agencies and parastatals from the allowance already being enjoyed by staff in core ministries.
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They recalled previous correspondences sent on January 16 and March 30, 2026, noting that despite repeated appeals through official channels, the Office of the Head of Service had yet to take concrete action on the matter.
According to the unions, the government’s circular approving the 30 per cent peculiar allowance clearly stated that the implementation should cover not only core ministries but also agencies and parastatals.
They stressed that workers in these agencies play vital roles in governance and service delivery, warning that their exclusion has led to growing feelings of marginalisation and unfair treatment.
The unions further argued that the current economic situation affects all categories of workers, making it necessary for the allowance to be implemented across all Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Parastatals without discrimination.
The 14-day ultimatum, which took effect from Tuesday, April 28, is expected to expire at midnight on May 11, 2026. The unions warned that failure by the state government to meet their demands within the stipulated period would result in protest action.
Copies of the letter were also forwarded to the Commissioner for Communication, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kwara State Council.
