The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly criticised the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) for rejecting the Federal Government’s approved ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public servants, insisting that the TUC was not part of the negotiations that produced the agreement.
NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero made the remarks on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s *Morning Brief*. He expressed surprise at the TUC’s opposition, noting that the NLC had clearly stated from the outset that it was engaging the government independently.
“Why is TUC challenging what was gotten for the workers when we stated clearly that NLC was acting alone?” Ajaero asked. “The agreement was not signed by TUC, and you don’t kick against something that you didn’t negotiate, you never asked for.”
The Federal Government and the NLC reached the agreement on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, during a conciliation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja. Under the deal, public service workers across all levels will receive a ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention for six months beginning in November 2026.
The package also includes payment of peculiar allowance arrears (effective from 1 May 2026) in three equal monthly installments starting in November, settlement of outstanding allowances for health workers, and the immediate constitution of a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Director-General of the Budget Office Tanimu Yakubu, and Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office Dr Garba Abdul, among others.
Ajaero explained that differences between the two labour centres emerged earlier when the TUC reportedly suggested that minimum wage negotiations should begin only in August 2027. The NLC disagreed, arguing that such a position was inconsistent with the law, and proceeded with its own engagement with the government.
He further noted that after media reports incorrectly portrayed joint NLC-TUC meetings, the TUC distanced itself from the process. The NLC then issued a statement clarifying that it was acting alone.
“We came out with a statement that NLC is on this alone; we are not with TUC. So I would be surprised why TUC would be challenging what was gotten for the workers,” Ajaero said. He added that he would have preferred a scenario in which the TUC demanded a higher figure so both centres could push the government toward a stronger common position.
On calls for an immediate salary increase, Ajaero stressed that wage adjustments require a formal process involving relevant stakeholders and cannot be granted arbitrarily.
The TUC had earlier rejected the ₦70,000 transport allowance in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Comrade N.A. Toro. The TUC described temporary wage awards as inadequate and unsustainable, citing incomplete implementation of the previous 2023 wage award.
It demanded an immediate salary review that would raise the pay of the lowest-paid worker from the current ₦70,000 minimum wage to ₦300,000, with consequential adjustments across grades, and full implementation of outstanding agreements with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
