The Federal Government has approved a significant upward review of peculiar allowances for civil servants and introduced full payment of Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) for officers attending approved training programmes.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, announced the measures during a news conference in Abuja on Friday.
She described them as part of broader efforts to reposition the Federal Civil Service and enhance workforce productivity.
She explained that the revised peculiar allowances will apply to officers under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure.
The adjustments, she noted, cut across all grade levels to ensure noticeable improvements in workers’ take-home pay.
In a major policy shift, civil servants attending approved training programmes at designated institutions will now receive 100 per cent DTA, regardless of whether travel is required.
The institutions include the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), and Federal Training Centres in Lagos, Calabar, Enugu, Maiduguri, Ilorin and Kaduna.
According to Walson-Jack, the decision removes financial barriers to professional development and underscores the government’s commitment to investing in its workforce.
She further revealed that key entitlements such as estacode and book allowances have been increased to reflect current economic realities.
The Head of Service also disclosed that the Federal Executive Council had approved a new exit benefits scheme for treasury-funded civil servants under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Effective January 1, 2026, retiring employees will receive an additional benefit equivalent to 100 per cent of their total annual emoluments.
Employees’ Compensation Scheme
Additionally, the Employees’ Compensation Scheme has been operationalised to cover work-related injuries, occupational diseases, disability or death, complementing the existing Group Life Assurance Scheme and strengthening social protection for workers and their families.
The government has also introduced a N10 billion housing loan scheme for civil servants to address their housing needs.
The initiative, to be implemented through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board, aims to improve access to home ownership.
Walson-Jack said the reforms reflect President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to rewarding public servants and strengthening government institutions.
She urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies to sustain collaboration in implementing reforms and delivering improved public service outcomes.
The announcement concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board to activate the housing loan scheme.
