The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 monthly transport allowance, calling instead for an immediate salary review that could raise the earnings of the lowest-paid worker to N300,000.
The congress argued that temporary financial interventions were insufficient to address the persistent rise in the cost of living, insisting that workers required sustainable salary increases rather than allowances that might not reach all eligible beneficiaries.
The TUC also accused the Federal Government of failing to fulfil outstanding obligations under the 2023 wage award agreement and delaying the implementation of an agreement on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The position was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the TUC President, Festus Osifo, and its 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 written to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding an immediate review of workers’ salaries in response to worsening economic conditions.
The labour body maintained that the government could increase salaries without waiting for negotiations on the national minimum wage to be concluded, arguing that Nigerian law sets no maximum limit on wages.
“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 proposed raising the salary of the lowest-paid worker to N300,000 monthly from the current statutory minimum of N70,000, with corresponding adjustments across other salary grades.
It stressed that ongoing minimum wage negotiations should not prevent the government from taking immediate steps to improve workers’ earnings as food, transportation, healthcare and other essential expenses continue to put pressure on household budgets.
TUC questions credibility of fresh wage award
The congress said its opposition to the proposed transport allowance was informed by what it described as the incomplete implementation of the previous wage award negotiated by organised labour and the Federal Government in October 2023.
According to the TUC, the arrangement was intended to provide temporary relief until a new national minimum wage was agreed in 2024. However, the congress alleged that the payments were not fully implemented.
It claimed that some workers were still owed one or two months of the allowance, while others had received nothing.
The TUC further alleged that payments to some beneficiaries were irregular, with workers sometimes waiting one or two months between disbursements and repeatedly demanding their entitlements.
It also claimed that more than 80 per cent of state governments and workers in the informal sector had not benefited from any form of wage award.
Questioning the rationale for another temporary arrangement, the congress asked how workers could be expected to trust fresh promises when previous commitments remained outstanding.
The labour body maintained that permanent salary increases would provide more reliable relief than temporary allowances whose implementation, it argued, had been inconsistent.
“Negotiations of a new national minimum wage must not become an excuse for postponing urgent pay increment,” the statement added.
The TUC also called on federal, state and local governments to introduce measurable interventions to reduce the cost of essential goods and services, ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect jobs and tackle exploitative labour practices.
It urged the authorities to strengthen the productive sector to support employment creation and improve living standards across the formal and informal economies.
Beyond the proposed transport allowance, the TUC accused the Federal Government of failing to implement an agreement reached with JOHESU following negotiations to resolve a prolonged industrial dispute in the health sector.
The congress said its president led a delegation of organised labour, including JOHESU representatives, during negotiations that culminated in a conciliation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The government delegation was led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, alongside 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.
According to the TUC, the resulting agreement addressed outstanding issues concerning the adjustment of CONHESS, the salary structure applicable to eligible health workers.
The congress said JOHESU suspended its industrial action in good faith after the agreement was reached but alleged that the government had failed to fulfil its commitments seven months later.
“While the workers have kept their side of the bargain, the government hasn’t kept its side of the agreement,” the statement said.
The TUC demanded the immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment, a clearly defined implementation timetable, adequate budgetary provisions and further consultations with the affected unions to resolve outstanding issues.
It warned that continued delays could undermine confidence in collective bargaining and weaken trust between the government and organised labour.
“The TUC demands tangible action, not further assurances,” the congress stated, pledging to support the affected unions and pursue lawful measures to secure compliance.
Labour awaits government’s response
The TUC said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before determining its next course of action. It did not announce an immediate nationwide strike in the statement.
The dispute comes amid continued pressure on workers’ purchasing power following the removal of the petrol subsidy and subsequent increases in transportation, food and other household costs.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the National Minimum Wage Act, raising the statutory minimum monthly wage from N30,000 to N70,000 after negotiations between the government and organised labour.
However, the TUC’s latest position highlights the distinction between the statutory minimum wage, broader salary adjustments and temporary financial relief measures.
While the Federal Government has approved a six-month transport allowance of N70,000 monthly for public servants beginning in November 2026, the congress insists that a permanent pay review is necessary to address workers’ economic difficulties.
The competing positions leave the government facing renewed pressure to reconcile its proposed welfare interventions with labour’s demands for higher salaries, fulfilment of outstanding agreements and more predictable improvements in workers’ earnings.
