Bayelsa Workers Receive Special Allowances as Government Moves to Improve Welfare

The Bayelsa State Government has increased financial support for public workers through special allowance payments, as part of efforts to improve employees’ welfare amid rising living costs.

Reports indicate that many civil servants and public workers received a 40 per cent peculiar allowance alongside their October salaries. The payment has, however, sparked concerns among primary school teachers, who say they were excluded from the disbursement.

The leadership of the eight local government branches of the Nigeria Union of Teachers said the exclusion had left primary school educators dissatisfied. The union called on the state government and local government authorities to extend the allowance to its members, arguing that teachers face the same economic pressures as other public employees.

The teachers also demanded payment of outstanding arrears relating to previously approved wage increments of 25 per cent and 35 per cent. They urged the authorities to address the issues promptly to prevent further dissatisfaction among their members.

The latest concerns come after the administration of Governor Douye Diri announced several worker-welfare measures earlier in 2026. These included new allowances, promotion and step-increment arrears, revised earned allowances for medical personnel, and benefits for workers in the education and local government sectors.

The state government also approved additional welfare measures for health workers, including an extension of the retirement age from 60 to 65 years and an increase in the maximum years of service from 35 to 40 years.

In a separate development, the government approved new academic and non-academic tools allowances for staff of its three state-owned universities, with the package expected to increase monthly government expenditure by more than ₦500 million.

The various measures reflect the state government's efforts to address workers’ demands and maintain industrial harmony. However, the concerns raised by primary school teachers highlight the importance of ensuring that approved benefits reach all eligible employees.

The government’s response to the teachers’ demands and the implementation of outstanding payments are likely to remain important issues in discussions with organised labour in Bayelsa State.