The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has criticised the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for opposing the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public service workers, arguing that the congress was not involved in the negotiations that produced the agreement.
Ajaero made his position known during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday, October 29, 2026, expressing surprise at the TUC’s decision to reject the arrangement.
According to him, the NLC had made it clear from the beginning that it was negotiating independently with the Federal Government, without the participation of the TUC.
He argued that the congress should not oppose an agreement it neither negotiated nor signed.
“The agreement was not signed by TUC, and you don’t kick against something that you didn’t negotiate, you never asked for,” Ajaero said.
NLC Wanted TUC to Demand More
The labour leader said he would have preferred the TUC to push for a higher allowance rather than reject the outcome of the negotiations.
He suggested that both labour centres could have presented different proposals and worked towards a compromise with the government.
Ajaero also recalled that disagreements between the two organisations had emerged over the timing of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
He said the TUC leadership had indicated that discussions on the minimum wage should begin in August 2027, a position the NLC opposed.
According to him, the NLC believed the process should commence immediately and proceeded with its own engagement with the government.
Ajaero further claimed that the TUC had distanced itself from the negotiations after reports suggested that both labour organisations were jointly meeting with government representatives.
Why TUC Rejected the Allowance
The disagreement followed the Federal Government’s approval of a ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention for public service workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026.
The agreement was reached at a conciliation meeting between the government and the NLC on October 27.
However, the TUC rejected the proposal, insisting that a temporary allowance would not provide a lasting solution to the economic difficulties confronting Nigerian workers.
The congress, led by its President, Festus Osifo, called instead for an immediate salary increase and the implementation of outstanding agreements affecting workers, including health-sector employees.
The TUC argued that the government should not wait for a new minimum wage negotiation before increasing workers’ earnings.
It also raised concerns about the incomplete implementation of previous wage awards, warning that temporary relief measures had not consistently benefited all workers.
Labour Disagreement Deepens
The disagreement highlights growing differences between Nigeria’s two major labour centres over how best to address rising living costs, transportation expenses and declining workers’ purchasing power.
While the NLC is defending the negotiated transport allowance as an outcome of its engagement with the government, the TUC maintains that a permanent salary increase would provide more meaningful relief.
The Federal Government is expected to begin payments under the six-month arrangement in November, while discussions on a new minimum wage and other outstanding labour demands remain ongoing.
