The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government's proposed N70,000 wage award, citing that temporary wage awards are inadequate to address the worsening economic hardship confronting Nigerian workers. The TUC, in a statement issued by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, insisted that the government should increase salaries rather than introduce relief measures that might not be implemented consistently. This decision was made following a National Administrative Council meeting held in Abuja on October 8, 2026.
The TUC had written to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding an immediate salary review in response to rising living costs. The congress argued that the government does not need to wait for negotiations on the national minimum wage before increasing workers' salaries, noting that there is no legal ceiling on how much employers can pay their workers. The TUC proposed that the Federal Government could raise the salary of the lowest-paid worker to N300,000 from the current N70,000 and apply the appropriate consequential adjustments to other salary levels.
The TUC also accused the Federal Government of failing to fulfil its 2023 wage award obligations to some workers and neglecting a seven-month-old agreement on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU). The congress alleged that some workers were still being owed one or two months' payments, while others had not received the allowance at all. The TUC expressed concerns about the credibility of another temporary arrangement, given that the previous wage award negotiated in October 2023 had not been fully implemented.
The congress insisted that a permanent salary increase would provide more dependable relief than temporary allowances, which it said had failed to reach workers uniformly. The TUC stated that negotiations of a new national minimum wage must not become an excuse for postponing urgent pay increments. Beyond salary increases, the TUC called on federal, state, and local governments to introduce measurable interventions to reduce the cost of essential goods and services. The congress urged the authorities to ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs, curb exploitative labour practices, and revitalise the productive sector to create decent employment.
The TUC described the delay in implementing the CONHESS adjustment as a breach of the principle of good faith, warning that failure to honour agreements could undermine confidence in collective bargaining between the government and organised labour. The congress demanded the immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment, publication of a clear implementation timetable, provision of the necessary budgetary allocations, and resolution of all outstanding issues in consultation with the relevant unions.
The TUC's President, Festus Osifo, led a delegation of organised labour, including JOHESU leaders and a representative of another labour congress, in negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute with the Federal Government. The negotiations culminated in a conciliation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, where both parties agreed to a communiqué. However, the TUC accused the government of failing to fulfil its own obligations, despite the agreement being signed in good faith.
The TUC reiterated that workers are not seeking favours but demanding improved living conditions and respect for their rights. The congress pledged to stand with affected unions and pursue lawful measures to compel the government to comply with the agreement. The TUC's rejection of the proposed N70,000 wage award and demand for a salary increase reflect the growing concerns of Nigerian workers amidst rising living costs and economic hardship.
Key points
- The TUC rejects the proposed N70,000 wage award, citing its inadequacy in addressing the economic hardship faced by Nigerian workers.
- The congress demands an immediate salary increase for workers, proposing a raise in the lowest-paid worker's salary to N300,000.
- The TUC accuses the Federal Government of failing to fulfil its 2023 wage award obligations and neglecting the implementation of the CONHESS adjustment for health workers under JOHESU.
