Martha Udom
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for federal workers, describing it as inadequate and temporary.
The rejection comes a day after the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) reached an agreement on a ₦70,000 monthly wage award for six months, beginning in November 2026, as part of efforts to cushion the impact of rising living costs and avert a nationwide strike.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, and jointly signed by its President-General, Comrade Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Comrade Nuhu Toro, the TUC said Nigerian workers needed a permanent salary increase rather than a temporary allowance.
According to the Congress, the Federal Government could raise the salary of the lowest-paid worker to ₦300,000 from the current ₦70,000 minimum wage without waiting for negotiations on a new national minimum wage.
“The Federal Government should review increasing workers’ salaries. This was hinged on the fact that the government does not require the minimum wage to be negotiated before increasing workers’ pay, as there is no maximum wage law in the country,” the statement said.
The TUC said it had communicated its position to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), following its National Administrative Council meeting held in Abuja on October 8, 2026.
The Congress also questioned the government’s credibility in implementing the proposed allowance, alleging that a previous wage award agreed upon on October 2, 2023, and intended to remain in effect until a new minimum wage was agreed upon in 2024, had not been fully implemented.
“The wage award agreed between FGN and organised labour on the 2nd of October 2023 was to be implemented until a minimum wage was agreed in 2024 but was never implemented holistically,” the TUC said.
The Congress added that some workers were still owed one or two months of the award, while others had not received any payment.
It further alleged that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector had not benefited from any form of wage award.
“How do we go back to the same wage award that never benefited all workers? How can workers be expected to trust fresh promises when previous obligations remain outstanding?” the Congress asked.
Beyond salary increases, the TUC demanded the immediate implementation of the agreement to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU). It said implementation had been pending for seven months.
The Congress maintained that temporary relief that did not reach workers uniformly was unacceptable, adding that negotiations for a new national minimum wage should not be used to delay urgent salary increases.
“Our position is unequivocal: workers are not asking for favours; they are demanding social and economic justice that protects their dignity and livelihoods,” Osifo said.
“The TUC therefore rejects inadequate temporary relief and demands wage justice for all categories of workers, social protection, reduction of the cost of living for the vulnerable, and full compliance with agreements.”
The Congress said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action.
