₦70,000 Relief: Ajaero Blasts TUC Over Rejection as NECA Sets Condition for New Minimum Wage

Share for social good The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has criticised the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for rejecting the Federal Government’s ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers, insisting that the temporary intervention represents an important achievement in the struggle to improve workers’ welfare.

Ajaero challenged the TUC to negotiate a better deal for its members rather than condemn an agreement it did not participate in negotiating.

His comments come amid growing disagreements within organised labour over the Federal Government’s proposed six-month transport allowance and renewed calls for an upward review of the national minimum wage.

The Federal Government and the NLC reached an agreement on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, to provide workers across public service levels with a monthly transport allowance of ₦70,000 for six months, beginning in November.

The agreement followed a conciliation meeting between government representatives and the NLC leadership in Abuja, following concerns over rising petrol prices, transportation costs and the increasing cost of living.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, October 29, Ajaero defended the agreement, saying the intervention was secured after sustained pressure from organised labour.

He said Nigerian workers had endured worsening economic conditions without adequate government intervention, adding that the NLC had to threaten industrial action before securing the relief.

“Nigerian workers were suffering; no intervention, nothing, and we have pushed with the threat of strike. We almost went on strike to get something, and then we got this,” he said.

Describing the agreement as a significant achievement, Ajaero said the intervention would provide some relief to workers over the next six months.

“Between now and the next six months, this is a landmark achievement,” the NLC president stated.

Reacting to the TUC’s rejection of the allowance, Ajaero expressed surprise at the position of the sister labour organisation, arguing that it was inappropriate for the union to oppose an agreement it did not negotiate.

According to him, the NLC had made it clear that it was negotiating independently with the Federal Government after the TUC indicated that it was not part of the process.

“The agreement was not signed by TUC, and you don’t kick against something that you didn’t negotiate,” Ajaero said.

He maintained that the TUC was free to approach the government with its own demands and negotiate a higher intervention for its members.

“My appeal is that they (TUC) should go and ask for something higher. Let them ask for one million naira if they want.

“Is it better that they don’t get anything?” he asked.

Ajaero argued that the transport allowance should be viewed as an immediate intervention to cushion the impact of rising transportation costs rather than a permanent solution to workers’ economic challenges.

He also maintained that government could not simply grant salary increases without following the appropriate negotiation process.

The TUC had rejected the Federal Government’s six-month transport allowance, describing temporary wage awards as inadequate and unsustainable in addressing the economic hardship facing Nigerian workers.

In a statement jointly signed by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the congress called for an immediate increase in workers’ salaries instead of temporary financial interventions.

The union said it had communicated its position to the Federal Government in a letter dated October 8, 2026, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

According to the TUC, the government does not need to wait for another minimum wage negotiation before improving workers’ salaries because there is no law prescribing a maximum amount an employer can pay.

The congress argued that the Federal Government could raise the salary of its lowest-paid worker from the current ₦70,000 to ₦300,000 and make corresponding adjustments across other salary levels.

It also demanded the implementation of outstanding agreements with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), particularly the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure.

The TUC further expressed concern over outstanding obligations relating to previous wage awards, insisting that workers deserved permanent improvements in their earnings rather than temporary relief.

The union maintained that workers’ welfare should not be treated as a privilege and called on the Federal Government to address the declining purchasing power of Nigerians.

Despite defending the transport allowance, Ajaero acknowledged that the intervention could not permanently address the economic difficulties facing Nigerian workers.

He warned that the Federal Government must ensure a new minimum wage arrangement is concluded before the six-month allowance expires.

According to him, it would be unfair for workers to lose the temporary relief without receiving an improved salary structure that reflects prevailing economic realities.

Ajaero said future minimum wage negotiations must consider the rising costs of transportation, food, housing and other basic necessities.

He also insisted that the process for reviewing workers’ salaries must commence without unnecessary delays.

“We have to find a way out of it. It is not in favour of government to now stop paying and then there is no new minimum wage and there is nothing new,” he said.

The NLC president’s position reinforces the demand for an immediate commencement of minimum wage negotiations, although the effective date of implementation remains a subject of disagreement between labour and the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has warned that organised private-sector employers cannot be treated as parties to minimum wage agreements reached between the Federal Government and organised labour without their participation and concurrence.

The employers’ body insisted that negotiations for a new national minimum wage must follow a tripartite process involving the government, employers and workers as equal social partners.

In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, NECA’s Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, acknowledged the concerns of workers over rising living costs and declining purchasing power but maintained that employers must have an equal voice in determining the national minimum wage.

According to the association, bilateral discussions between the Federal Government and organised labour cannot replace the established tripartite framework.

NECA stated that the principle of tripartism was recognised under relevant International Labour Organisation (ILO) instruments, including the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131), the Minimum Wage Fixing Recommendation, 1970 (No. 135), and the Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26).

It also referenced ILO Convention No. 144 and Recommendation No. 113 on social dialogue and consultation.

“Organised private-sector employers cannot be deemed parties to, or contractually bound by, agreements reached without their participation and concurrence.”

However, NECA clarified that its position did not remove employers’ obligation to comply with any national minimum wage validly established under the National Minimum Wage Act.

The association stressed that it was not opposed to a review of the minimum wage but wanted negotiations to be inclusive, transparent and evidence-based.

NECA further argued that any credible minimum wage determination must balance workers’ welfare with the economic realities confronting employers.

It listed the cost of living, productivity, enterprise sustainability, employers’ ability to pay, employment generation and job retention among the factors that must guide negotiations.

The employers’ body noted that Nigerian businesses were already dealing with high energy costs, inflation, expensive access to funds and other operational challenges.

It warned that wage decisions that fail to consider these realities could threaten business survival, employment security and investor confidence.

NECA also clarified that the national minimum wage should not be confused with an automatic salary increase across all categories of employees.

According to the association, the minimum wage represents the statutory minimum compensation employers covered by the law must pay eligible workers.

It explained that consequential salary adjustments, wage relativity and general salary increases are separate issues that should be addressed through collective bargaining, contractual arrangements and enterprise-level negotiations.

The association called on the Federal Government, organised labour and employers to embrace constructive dialogue and avoid industrial disputes that could disrupt economic activities.

The latest disagreement comes as the Federal Government and the NLC have agreed to constitute a Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee and commence discussions immediately.

However, the parties reportedly disagreed on the effective date of implementation of a new minimum wage.

The development has brought the NLC, TUC and organised private-sector employers into different positions over how workers’ earnings should be improved and how the next wage arrangement should be negotiated.

While the NLC considers the ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance an important short-term achievement, the TUC insists that permanent salary increases are more sustainable.

NECA, on the other hand, wants employers fully involved in the negotiations, warning that any new national minimum wage must balance workers’ needs with businesses’ capacity to pay.

The outcome of the proposed negotiations is expected to shape the next phase of discussions on workers’ welfare, employment conditions and the cost of doing business in Nigeria.

CLICK TO GET A WhoGoHost Hosting PLAN Related Topics:₦70000 transport allowanceFederal GovernmentFestus OsifoJoe AjaeroJOHESUMinimum wageNECANigerian WorkersNLCTUC Don't Miss TUC Rejects ₦70,000 Allowance, Demands ₦300,000 Minimum Salary for Federal Workers

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