The Federal Government has blamed a technical hitch for the delay in the payment of February salaries to treasury-funded workers, announcing that disbursement had commenced nationwide.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation said it had started paying affected workers after resolving the issue that disrupted the schedule.

The statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, read in part, “The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has commenced the payment of February 2026 salaries to Federal Government treasury-funded workers. Payments began on Monday, March 2, 2026.

“The Office explained that the delay in the payment of the February 2026 salaries was due to a technical hitch, and it has been tackled, and necessary measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence.”

The clarification followed concerns among federal workers over the late payment of their February salaries, which are typically credited before the end of the month.

The OAGF also disclosed progress on outstanding wage awards, stating that part of the arrears had been cleared.

The statement added, “In addition, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation has received approval and has concluded the process of payment of one month wage award arrears out of the three months outstanding.”

The wage award was introduced by the Federal Government as a temporary measure to cushion the impact of economic reforms and rising living costs on public sector employees.

The PUNCH last week reported that organised labour in the federal public service issued a Friday deadline to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate release of funds to settle three months’ outstanding wage awards and other pending allowances owed to workers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The leadership of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union Side) conveyed the ultimatum in a letter addressed to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, warning that failure to meet the February 27, 2026, deadline would compel the eight unions in the civil service to take decisive action.

The unions accused the government of withholding funds meant for workers, alleging that relevant agencies were prepared to process payments once the Ministry of Finance released the required funds.

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Members of the South West leadership of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria staged a peaceful protest in Lagos State, denouncing the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in strikes by the United States and Israel.

The protest, which took place in the early hours of Monday, follows similar demonstrations in Kano State on Sunday.

In Lagos, demonstrators marched through parts of the Maryland axis, carrying placards and banners denouncing what they described as an “invasion” of Iran and the targeted assassination of the long-serving Iranian leader.

Chants and slogans expressed solidarity with Iran and strong opposition to the actions of the United States and Israel.

According to reports from Leadership, the gathering remained calm and orderly, with no immediate reports of violence or major disruptions or spread to other areas.

Some IMN leaders, speaking to newsmen, urged the Nigerian government to reject the presence of US troops in the country.

South West coordinator of IMN, Muftau Zakariya, said that the protest was organised to express their concerns about what he called sustained invasions of sovereign nations by the United States administration, citing Venezuela as a recent example of foreign interference.

Zakariya also claimed that terrorism in Nigeria has increased since the involvement of the US government.

He said heightened and sustained attacks in Kwara State followed what he described as US involvement in the country’s affairs.

“I said to you that nothing good is coming from the US intervention. It is only interested in their economic gains and not minding the consequences thereafter,” he told Leadership.

Another leader of the movement, Muhammadu Bashir, said the protest was a way of registering their concerns over the killing of Iranian leaders.

He said the protest would remain peaceful and would be sustained across the region.

The demonstration follows widespread outrage among Shi’ite communities globally after Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei’s death on Saturday during a large-scale U.S.-Israeli operation against targets in Iran.

The strikes, which began on or around February 28, 2026, have escalated into ongoing military exchanges, with reports of significant casualties, retaliatory actions by Iran, and regional instability.

The Islamic Republic on Sunday announced 40 days of national mourning in honour of Khamenei, who ruled the Middle East nation for nearly four decades.

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The National Police Council has unanimously endorsed the appointment of Olatunji Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this to our correspondent after the council’s meeting at the State House, Abuja, which lasted about 40 minutes.

“Yes, they have unanimously endorsed Disu as IGP,” Onanuga said

PUNCH Online reports that Monday’s gathering began at about 2:15 pm when Tinubu arrived at the Council Chamber.

The meeting is in compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, which requires the Police Council to consider the appointment.

In its statement announcing the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun last Tuesday, the Presidency had indicated that the council would be convened shortly.

“In compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, President Tinubu will convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council shortly to formally consider the appointment of AIG Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation,” Onanuga said in the statement.

The Police Council is chaired by the President and comprises all 36 state governors, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, and the Inspector-General of Police.

On Sunday, two highly placed officials in the Presidency and the police establishment confirmed the scheduled meeting to our correspondent.

“The Police Council Meeting is on Monday,” one of the sources said.

The second source, also familiar with the president’s schedule, confirmed, “Yes, we are meeting on Monday. The usual time for FEC meetings is 12:00 or 1:00 pm.”

Those who attended the meeting are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Head of Civil Service, Didi Walson-Jack, and Governors of Enugu, Nasarawa, Ogun, Kwara, Plateau, Ondo and Lagos.

The Deputy Governor of Kogi State also attended alongside the Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Police Affairs and Interior.

Disu, 59, has been serving in an acting capacity since his appointment on Wednesday following Egbetokun’s exit.

Although the former IGP officially cited “family issues” in his resignation letter, Saturday PUNCH reported that he was summoned to the Presidential Villa on Monday evening and informed that he had to step down.

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