The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 transport allowance, calling instead for an immediate upward review of workers’ salaries and the fulfilment of outstanding agreements with organised labour.
The congress said temporary financial relief was insufficient to address the economic difficulties facing Nigerian workers, proposing that the salary of the lowest-paid worker be raised to N300,000, from the current N70,000, with consequential adjustments across other salary grades.
It also accused the Federal Government of failing to fully implement the 2023 wage award and honour an agreement with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
The TUC stated its position in a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, following a National Administrative Council meeting held in Abuja on October 8, 2026.
According to the congress, it had formally approached the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding an immediate salary review in response to the rising cost of living.
The labour centre maintained that the government could increase workers’ salaries without waiting for a fresh national minimum wage negotiation, arguing that the existing law did not place a ceiling on wages employers could pay.
“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 congress said the proposed N300,000 minimum salary would offer a more meaningful response to the rising cost of food, transportation, healthcare and other basic necessities.
It insisted that negotiations over the national minimum wage should not prevent the government from taking immediate measures to improve workers’ earnings.
The TUC further explained that its rejection of the proposed allowance was informed by the experience of the previous wage award, which it said had not benefited workers consistently.
The wage award, agreed upon by the Federal Government and organised labour on October 2, 2023, was intended to provide temporary relief pending an agreement on a new minimum wage in 2024.
However, the congress alleged that the arrangement was never implemented comprehensively, leaving some workers without their entitlements.
It said some beneficiaries were still owed one or two months’ payments, while others had not received any allowance. Even among workers who benefited, the congress alleged that payments were irregular, with some going for one or two months without receiving their entitlements.
The TUC also claimed that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector had not benefited from any 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?” it queried.
The congress argued that another temporary allowance would not address the underlying problem of inadequate wages and declining purchasing power.
It called on the federal, state and local governments to implement sustainable measures capable of reducing the cost of essential goods and services.
Among other demands, it urged the authorities to ensure prompt payment of salaries and pensions, protect jobs, tackle exploitative labour practices and strengthen productive activities to generate decent employment.
The TUC stressed that the hardship extended beyond federal employees, affecting state and local government workers, pensioners, private-sector employees and people in the informal economy.
It called for government interventions backed by adequate funding and clear implementation schedules, insisting that policy announcements must produce measurable improvements in living standards.
The congress also expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s handling of the dispute involving JOHESU, accusing it of failing to implement an agreement reached after months of industrial action by health workers.
According to the statement, Osifo led a delegation of organised labour, including JOHESU representatives and an official from another labour congress, in negotiations to resolve the dispute.
The negotiations resulted in a conciliation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, where both parties agreed to a communiqué.
The government delegation was led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, and the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, also participating.
The TUC said JOHESU suspended its industrial action in good faith following the agreement but accused the government of failing to fulfil its obligations.
It specifically alleged that the adjustment of CONHESS, covered by the agreement, remained outstanding seven months after the settlement.
“While the workers have kept their side of the bargain, the government hasn’t kept its side of the agreement,” the congress said.
Describing the delay as a breach of good faith, the TUC warned that the failure to implement agreements could undermine trust in collective bargaining and worsen industrial relations in the health sector.
It demanded immediate implementation of the salary structure adjustment, a clear timetable for execution, appropriate budgetary provisions and consultations with the affected unions to resolve outstanding issues.
“The TUC demands tangible action, not further assurances,” the statement added, pledging to support the affected workers and pursue lawful measures to secure compliance.
The congress reiterated that workers were demanding better living conditions and respect for their rights rather than special treatment.
The dispute comes amid continuing concerns over the impact of Nigeria’s economic reforms on household incomes and workers’ purchasing power.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed legislation raising the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 monthly following negotiations between the Federal Government and organised labour.
The agreement followed prolonged disagreements over wages as the removal of petrol subsidy and other economic measures drove up transportation, food and household expenses.
However, the statutory minimum wage did not automatically guarantee corresponding salary adjustments across all grades or resolve wider concerns about the rising cost of living.
The TUC said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action. It did not announce an immediate nationwide strike in its statement.
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