Ajaero Fires Back at TUC Over Rejection of FG’s ₦70,000 Allowance

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has criticised the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for rejecting the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public servants, arguing that the congress was not involved in the negotiations that produced the agreement.

Ajaero said the NLC had made it clear from the outset that it was negotiating independently with the Federal Government, describing the TUC’s opposition to the outcome as surprising.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday, Ajaero questioned why the TUC was challenging an agreement it neither negotiated nor signed.

“Why is TUC challenging what was gotten for the workers when we stated clearly that NLC was acting alone?” he asked.

He added: “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 he would have preferred the TUC to demand a higher allowance than the NLC, allowing both labour centres to push for better terms during negotiations with the government.

“I would have preferred a situation whereby if NLC was asking for one naira, TUC would be asking for 10 naira, and probably the government would harmonise it,” he said.

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The disagreement follows the Federal Government’s approval of a ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for eligible public servants for six months, beginning in November 2026. The agreement was reached at a conciliation meeting between the government and the NLC on October 27.

The TUC rejected the arrangement, arguing that a temporary allowance would not provide lasting relief from rising living costs. In a statement issued by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the congress called for an immediate salary increase instead.

The TUC argued that the government could raise the pay of the lowest-paid worker to ₦300,000, citing higher minimum wages in some states. It also raised concerns over outstanding obligations under previous wage awards and the delay in implementing agreements affecting health workers.

Ajaero said the disagreement over the timing of a fresh minimum-wage review had also contributed to the separate negotiations. He maintained that the NLC believed the relevant process should begin immediately rather than wait until August 2027, as he said the TUC had proposed.

The NLC president argued that a wage increase must follow a formal negotiation process rather than be granted without one.

The dispute highlights a widening difference between Nigeria’s two major labour centres over how best to secure relief for workers amid rising transport, food and other living costs.

While the NLC has accepted the six-month allowance arrangement, the TUC insists that temporary payments are insufficient and is demanding more sustainable wage increases and the fulfilment of outstanding government agreements.

The Federal Government’s arrangement also provides for payment of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November. A separate agreement covers outstanding allowances for health workers.

The controversy comes as the Federal Government and the TUC prepare for further discussions on economic hardship, workers’ welfare and other labour concerns.