The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has criticized the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for rejecting the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public service workers, arguing that the union was not part of the negotiations that produced the agreement.
Ajaero spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday, questioning why the TUC opposed an arrangement it neither negotiated nor signed.
He said the NLC had engaged the Federal Government separately to secure financial relief for workers struggling with rising living costs.
Ajaero also argued that the TUC could have sought a higher allowance instead of rejecting the proposal, potentially creating room for further negotiations and a better outcome for workers.
The disagreement followed the TUC’s rejection of the transport allowance, which it described as an inadequate response to the economic pressures facing Nigerian workers. The congress argued that an immediate salary increase would provide a more meaningful solution than temporary financial support.
In a statement signed by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, the TUC also accused the Federal Government of failing to settle outstanding wage award obligations owed to some workers and implement an agreement on the remuneration of health sector employees.
The Federal Government approved the ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public service workers at all levels for an initial six-month period beginning in November 2026. The agreement was reached with the NLC at a conciliation meeting in Abuja on October 27.
Beyond the transport allowance, the agreement covered outstanding allowances and the immediate commencement of negotiations on the minimum wage. However, the government and the NLC did not agree on when the new minimum wage should take effect.
The dispute underscores differences between Nigeria’s two major labour centres over how best to address workers’ welfare amid rising living costs, with the NLC defending the negotiated relief package and the TUC calling for more substantial salary adjustments.
