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By Victory Oghene
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the federal government’s N70,000 transport allowance for workers, demanding an immediate salary increase and full implementation of its agreement with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The rejection came barely 24 hours after the government approved the transport allowance, with the congress insisting that temporary wage awards were inadequate to address the economic hardship facing Nigerian workers.
In a statement signed by its President General, Comrade Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, Comrade N. A. Toro, the TUC said the government could increase salaries without waiting for negotiations on a new national minimum wage.
The congress said it conveyed its demands to the government in a letter dated October 8, 2026, following a meeting of its National Administrative Council in Abuja.
It added that subsequent consultations with government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, failed to change its opposition to the proposed wage award.
The TUC argued that no law required the government to negotiate a new minimum wage before increasing workers’ salaries, maintaining that there was no legal ceiling on wages.
It proposed increasing the salaries of the lowest-paid federal workers from the current N70,000 to N300,000, with corresponding adjustments across other salary grades.
The congress said some states had already raised their minimum wages above N100,000, arguing that the federal government could similarly increase the pay of its lowest-paid workers and apply the appropriate consequential adjustments.
The statement said, “In the said letter, our position was very clear, federal government should review increase salaries of workers. This was hinged on the fact that government does not require minimum wage to be negotiated before increasing workers’ pay as there is no maximum wage law in the country.
“Some states today have raised their minimum wage above N100,000 such that federal government can raise the pay of the lowest worker to N300,000 for example from the current N70,000 and then apply the applicable consequential adjustment.
“While it is good to negotiate minimum wage which will affect other cadre of workers, FGN must raise wage level immediately as there are no law or historical practices stopping it from doing so.”
The TUC said the proposal for a wage award was raised during its consultations with government officials but was vehemently rejected by the congress.
It added, “Negotiations of a new national minimum wage must not become an excuse for postponing urgent pay increment.”
The congress also criticised the alleged failure to fully implement the N40,000 wage award agreed by the government and organised labour on October 2, 2023.
According to the TUC, some workers remained unpaid for one or two months, while others received nothing. It added that payments to beneficiaries were irregular, sometimes separated by one or two months.
The congress further alleged that more than 80 per cent of states and the informal sector had not implemented any form of wage award.
It maintained that permanent salary increases, rather than temporary relief measures, would provide workers with more reliable support amid rising living costs.
The TUC called on governments at all levels to introduce measurable interventions to reduce the cost of essential goods and services, ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs, curb exploitative labour practices and revitalise the productive sector to create decent employment.
The congress also accused the federal government of failing to honour its agreement with JOHESU, seven months after the unions suspended their industrial action.
in a conciliation meeting at the office of the Minister of Labour and Employment, where both parties signed an agreement.
The government delegation included the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; the Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister of Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate; and the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
According to the TUC, the agreement provided for the prompt resolution of outstanding issues concerning the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
However, the congress said the adjustment remained unimplemented despite JOHESU suspending its strike in good faith.
It described the delay as a breach of trust that undermined collective bargaining and demanded immediate implementation of the adjustment, a clear timetable, adequate budgetary provisions and consultations with the affected unions.
The TUC said, “While the workers have kept their side of the bargain, the government hasn’t kept its side of the agreement.
“This continued failure to honour an explicit commitment violates the principle of good faith, undermines confidence in collective bargaining and is absolutely unacceptable to the TUC.”
It warned that health workers should not be expected to continue providing essential services while the government failed to honour its commitments.
“The TUC demands tangible action, not further assurances. It will stand firmly with the affected affiliates and health workers and pursue every lawful and legitimate measure necessary to secure compliance,” the statement added.
The congress said it was awaiting the outcome of a scheduled meeting with the government before deciding its next course of action.
It insisted that workers’ welfare must be treated as a priority and that agreements reached with organised labour must be honoured.
“Workers’ welfare is not a privilege. Agreements must be honoured. Workers’ rights must be respected. Government must comply,” the TUC added.
