The Federal Government has fixed October 1, 2026, as the date for the implementation of the new allowance structure for civil servants on Grade Levels 01 to 17.
The review covers duty tour, estacode, training, travel, and other work-related allowances under the Public Service Rules of 2021.
The new arrangement was issued through a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and signed by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ekpo U.O. Nta. It was sent to top government offices including ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of agencies, and senior officials in the legislature and judiciary.
Under the new duty tour allowance, officers on Grade Levels 16 to 17 will receive N109,000, while those on Grade Levels 01 to 04 will get N30,000 for official trips.
The kilometre allowance for official movement was also adjusted, with permanent secretaries receiving N664 per kilometre, while officers on Grade Levels 01 to 04 will earn N174 per kilometre.
For foreign trips, estacode payments were revised. Permanent secretaries will now receive 1,040 dollars, officers on Grade Levels 15 to 17 will get 737 dollars, while those on Grade Levels 01 to 06 will receive 357 dollars for official foreign assignments.
Training and professional development allowances were also reviewed. Civil servants attending long courses of one year or more will receive N150,000 for books and project support, while those on shorter training programmes will get N125,000.
For local training courses, officers on Grade Levels 16 to 17 will receive N33,877.5 per day, while those on Grade Levels 01 to 04 will get N9,034.1 per day.
In the education sector, science and mathematics teachers on Grade Level 14 will receive N480,000 per year, while laboratory attendants on the same Grade Level will earn N216,000 annually.
The review also includes other payments such as resettlement allowance, which is set at 10 percent of the annual consolidated salary. There is also a non-accident bonus of N150,000 per year for eligible drivers. Disengagement benefits are also part of the new structure, though they follow existing service rules.
The commission explained that some allowances already listed in the Public Service Rules without fixed amounts will continue to be guided by existing provisions. Others not fully covered will be handled through later circulars from the commission.
The government said the period before October 2026 will allow ministries, departments, and agencies to adjust their budgets and payroll systems to the new structure.
Here’s the breakdown of the allowance:
Allowances and Amounts Table
| No. | Allowance | Who Gets It | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) | GL 16–17 | ₦109,000 |
| GL 01–04 | ₦30,000 | ||
| 2 | Kilometre Allowance | Permanent Secretaries | ₦664 per km |
| GL 01–04 | ₦174 per km | ||
| 3 | Estacode (Foreign Trips) | Permanent Secretaries | $1,040 |
| GL 15–17 | $737 | ||
| GL 01–06 | $357 | ||
| 4 | Book & Project Allowance | Long courses (1 year +) | ₦150,000 |
| Short courses | ₦125,000 | ||
| 5 | Local Course Allowance | GL 16–17 | ₦33,877.5 per day |
| GL 01–04 | ₦9,034.1 per day | ||
| 6 | Science & Mathematics Teachers Allowance | Science/Math Teachers | Up to ₦480,000 yearly |
| 7 | Laboratory Attendant Allowance | Lab Attendants | ₦216,000 yearly |
| 8 | Resettlement Allowance | All eligible workers | 10% of annual salary |
| 9 | Disengagement Allowance | Leaving workers | Not specified |
| 10 | Non-Accident Bonus | Government Drivers | ₦150,000 yearly |
Number of Allowances Per Worker
| Worker Type | Typical Number of Allowances |
|---|---|
| Regular Civil Servant | About 5 allowances |
| Science/Math Teacher | About 6 allowances |
| Laboratory Attendant | About 6 allowances |
| Government Driver | About 6 allowances |
The Nigeria Labour Congress reacted to the development, saying the increase in allowances does not match the rising cost of living.
The acting general secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, said that while the adjustment is noted, it does not deal with the current pressure faced by workers and called for stronger action to improve welfare across all levels of government.
