Follow Us on Google
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The federal government has launched a transformative ₦10 billion housing loan scheme and a robust welfare package for civil servants, marking a major step toward improving their living standards just ahead of the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Didi Walson-Jack, unveiled the initiatives at a press briefing on Friday, crediting President Bola Tinubu’s administration for turning welfare promises into action.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has fundamentally shifted the welfare of civil servants from rhetoric to reality,” she stated.
[Image: Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, announcing the ₦10bn housing loan in Abuja]
The centrepiece of the announcement is the ₦10 billion housing loan programme, facilitated through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). This initiative aims to make homeownership more accessible for public servants amid rising economic pressures.
Other News
Walson-Jack congratulated civil servants on the benefits, adding, “Workers’ Day is not only a moment to reflect on past struggles but also an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to workers’ welfare, renew the promise for the future, and ensure that those who serve the nation are treated with justice, fairness, and appreciation.”
The package extends beyond housing to include full Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) for approved training, an upward review of Peculiar Allowance across all grade levels, and hikes in Estacode, Book Allowance, and other entitlements to match current economic realities.
[Image: Federal civil servants at a town hall meeting discussing the new welfare and housing benefits]
The Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office in the OHCSF, Usman Garba, hailed the measures as “all-encompassing.” He stressed, “A robust and well-structured welfare system is fundamental to enhancing productivity, boosting morale, and ensuring the overall well-being of officers in the Public Service.”
Walson-Jack acknowledged contributions from key partners, including the National Pension Commission (PenCom), the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
Also in attendance were top government officials, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Parastatals, leaders from the eight labour unions under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, and various civil servants.
