Cracks within Nigeria’s organized labour movement have widened following a sharp public disagreement between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the federal government’s newly approved ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance.
The friction erupted after the Federal Government, following conciliation talks with the NLC leadership, announced a temporary six-month transport palliative for public service workers across all levels, set to take effect in November 2026.
While the NLC signed off on the intervention package alongside arrears for peculiar allowances and health workers’ benefits, the TUC swiftly rejected the package, dismissing short-term palliatives as inadequate and demanding an immediate, permanent salary increase to combat the surging cost of living.
Reacting to the TUC’s rejection, NLC president Joe Ajaero hit back, arguing that affiliate unions or parallel bodies that were not part of the negotiation table lacked the locus standi to discard relief measures secured for suffering workers.
“It’s Improper”: NLC Defends Negotiation Outcomes
Defending the agreement reached with government representatives—including Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi—Mr Ajaero maintained that rejecting an intervention secured through strenuous tripartite bargaining is counterproductive to the immediate welfare of workers battling high transportation and inflation costs.
“The agreement was not signed by TUC. You don’t kick against something you did not negotiate or ask for,” he said.
“TUC never asked for intervention as a result of the rising cost of transportation. On the issue of asking for wage increase, does the government gift wage increase? There must be a process put in place.
“I’m worried for some time now why you will say you reject something that was not given to you. That is not proper.
“You don’t have the power to reject what a sister agency negotiates. You have the power to ask for your own.”
Speaking on the dispute, senior NLC representatives argued that turning down an extra financial buffer did not reflect the harsh economic realities faced ordinary citizens on daily commutes.
“It is improper to reject what you did not ask for or take part in negotiating,” a senior NLC official stated regarding the TUC’s stance. “While we all ultimately advocate for comprehensive wage reforms, emergency palliatives provide immediate relief to workers who are struggling to fuel their cars or pay exorbitant bus fares right now. You do not throw away food when hunger is biting.”
The NLC leadership emphasized that the transport award is part of a broader set of concessions, which also includes settling 19 months of outstanding arrears for health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) beginning in December, alongside regional appeals for state and local governments to domesticate the welfare packages.
TUC demands permanent wage adjustments
The Trade Union Congress, led by Festus Osifo, stood firm on its rejection, arguing that temporary palliatives have historically failed to provide lasting security against galloping inflation and currency devaluation.
In its official position statement, the TUC insisted that the Federal Government must focus on genuine wage adjustments rather than short-term band-aids.
“The TUC rejects inadequate temporary relief and demands wage justice for all categories of workers, social protection and reduction of cost of living for the vulnerable,” the congress stated.
“Workers’ welfare is not a privilege. Agreements must be honoured, and permanent salary increases provide a much more reliable shield against economic hardship than intermittent allowances that do not cover all working Nigerians.”
The TUC also accused the federal administration of failing to completely honour previous wage award commitments and neglecting long-standing agreements on salary structure adjustments for specialized public sectors.
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