The Nigeria Labour Congress has faulted the Trade Union Congress over its rejection of the Federal Government’s N70,000 monthly transport allowance for public sector workers, saying the TUC cannot oppose an agreement it did not negotiate.
NLC President Joe Ajaero said the congress had made it clear from the outset that it was negotiating independently with the Federal Government and was surprised by the TUC’s decision to reject the outcome.
Mr Ajaero spoke on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday.
The NLC president said the agreement was negotiated and signed without the TUC, arguing that the union should have pursued a separate agreement if it wanted a different outcome.
He said, “The agreement was not signed by TUC, and you don’t kick against something that you didn’t negotiate or never asked for.”
Mr Ajaero said he would have preferred both labour centres to negotiate for different amounts, allowing the government to harmonise their demands.
He added that the TUC could still demand a higher intervention but should not reject what the NLC secured for workers.
Disagreement over minimum wage
Mr Ajaero said the disagreement between the two labour centres began after the TUC leadership reportedly took the position that the minimum wage would become due for negotiation in August 2027.
The NLC president said his organisation disagreed, arguing that the position was inconsistent with the law, and subsequently proceeded with its own engagement with the government.
According to him, the TUC later made it clear that it was not part of the negotiations after reports suggested that both labour centres were jointly meeting with the government.
Mr Ajaero said the NLC subsequently issued a statement clarifying that it was acting alone in the negotiations.
TUC demands salary increase
The TUC had rejected the N70,000 transport intervention, describing temporary wage awards as inadequate and calling instead for an immediate salary increase for workers.
In a statement signed by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the union said the government should increase workers’ salaries rather than introduce another temporary relief measure.
The TUC proposed that the Federal Government could raise the salary of the lowest-paid worker to N300,000 from N70,000 and apply consequential adjustments to other salary levels.
The congress also accused the government of failing to fully implement the 2023 wage award, saying some workers had received only partial payments while others had not benefited.
It further demanded implementation of the outstanding agreement on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions.
N70,000 allowance begins November
The Federal Government agreed to pay public sector workers N70,000 monthly for six months, beginning in November 2026, following a conciliation process with the NLC.
The agreement also provides for payment of peculiar allowance arrears dating from 1 May 2026, in three instalments beginning in November.
However, Mr Ajaero maintained that the allowance represented a significant intervention for workers amid rising transportation costs.
He argued that the government could not simply “dash” workers a permanent salary increase without following the required negotiation and approval processes.
The disagreement between the NLC and TUC comes as organised labour continues to push for better wages and stronger measures to cushion the rising cost of living.
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