TUC Rejected FG’s New ₦70,000 Offer: Here’s Why
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers, citing unpaid wage awards, rising living costs and unfulfilled agreements with health workers. The union is demanding higher salaries instead of another temporary relief measure.
The dispute comes after President Bola Tinubu announced a six-month transport allowance for public servants, with payments scheduled to begin in November 2026. The arrangement followed a conciliation meeting between government representatives and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
However, the TUC said the proposed payment would not provide the lasting relief Nigerian workers need. Here are the major reasons behind its rejection.
1. Previous wage awards remain unpaid
One of the TUC’s major concerns is the Federal Government’s alleged failure to fully implement an earlier wage award.
In October 2023, the government and organised labour agreed on a ₦40,000 wage award to provide temporary relief to workers while negotiations over a new national minimum wage continued.
According to the TUC, the arrangement was not fully implemented before the new minimum wage was introduced in 2024.
The union alleged that some workers were still owed one or two months’ payments, while others received nothing. It also complained that some beneficiaries experienced irregular payments and had to make repeated demands to receive their entitlements.
The TUC questioned why workers should trust another temporary arrangement when outstanding obligations from the previous one allegedly remain unsettled.
The union’s position is that the government should fulfil existing commitments before introducing another wage award.
2. TUC wants the lowest-paid federal worker to earn ₦300,000
The congress also wants an immediate salary increase rather than a temporary transport allowance.
In its statement, the union argued that the Federal Government does not need to wait for negotiations over a new national minimum wage before increasing workers’ salaries.
It proposed raising the salary of the lowest-paid federal worker from the current ₦70,000 minimum wage to ₦300,000. It also called for the appropriate adjustments to other salary levels.
The TUC cited some states that have introduced minimum wages above ₦100,000 to support its argument that the Federal Government could increase workers’ earnings.
According to the union, permanent salary increases would provide more dependable relief than temporary payments that may not reach every worker.
The government has not, however, agreed to the TUC’s proposed ₦300,000 salary level.
3. Rising living costs require lasting relief
The TUC also argued that a temporary allowance would not adequately address the economic difficulties confronting workers.
Food, transportation, healthcare and other essential expenses continue to place pressure on household budgets. The union said workers need measures that improve their purchasing power rather than short-term interventions.
It further noted that economic hardship affects more than federal public servants. State and local government employees, pensioners, private-sector workers and people in the informal economy also face rising living costs.
The congress therefore called on governments at all levels to introduce measurable interventions to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.
It also urged authorities to ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs and create decent employment opportunities.
4. Unfulfilled agreement with health workers
Another major issue is the government’s alleged failure to implement an agreement with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The TUC said health workers suspended their industrial action after negotiations produced an agreement that included resolving outstanding issues concerning the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
However, the congress alleged that seven months after the agreement, the salary adjustment remained unimplemented.
It demanded immediate implementation, a clear timetable and the necessary budgetary provisions to settle the outstanding issues.
The union warned that failing to honour agreements could undermine trust between the government and organised labour.
What happens next?
The TUC said it was awaiting the outcome of a scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action.
Its rejection does not automatically cancel the transport allowance arrangement reached between the government and the NLC. Instead, it highlights the disagreement within organised labour over whether temporary financial relief or permanent salary increases offer a better response to workers’ economic challenges.
The central question is whether the government will address the TUC’s demands for higher salaries and the implementation of outstanding agreements while proceeding with its proposed transport allowance.
For now, the union is insisting that workers need lasting improvements in their earnings, not another temporary promise.