The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 wage award, urging authorities to implement a substantial salary increase to cushion workers against rising living costs.
The labour centre also called for the immediate implementation of the outstanding Consolidated Health Salary Structure adjustment for members of the Joint Health Sector Unions, accusing the government of failing to honour an agreement reached with the health workers.
The TUC made its position known in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro.
The congress argued that workers required a permanent salary adjustment rather than temporary financial relief, which it claimed had failed to reach many eligible beneficiaries in the past.
It maintained that the Federal Government could increase salaries without waiting for negotiations on a new national minimum wage, noting that there was no legally prescribed maximum wage preventing higher earnings.
The labour body proposed that the salary of the lowest-paid federal worker be raised to ₦300,000, with corresponding adjustments across other salary grades.
It also cited some states that had introduced minimum wages above ₦100,000 as evidence that a more substantial increase was achievab
Explaining its opposition to the proposed arrangement, the congress recalled that the ₦40,000 wage award agreed upon by the Federal Government and organised labour on October 2, 2023, was intended to remain in effect until a new minimum wage was negotiated in 2024.
However, it alleged that the previous arrangement was not fully implemented, leaving some workers without payments while others experienced irregular disbursements.
The TUC further claimed that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector did not benefit from the wage award.
It questioned the rationale for introducing another temporary relief package when outstanding obligations from the previous arrangement remained unresolved.
According to the congress, a direct salary increase would offer workers more reliable financial support than temporary payments that could be delayed or inconsistently implemented.
Beyond salary adjustments, the TUC urged the Federal, state and local governments to introduce concrete measures to ease the rising cost of food, transportation, healthcare and other essential services.
It noted that economic hardship affected not only federal employees but also state and local government workers, pensioners, private-sector employees and people in the informal economy.
The congress called for prompt payment of salaries and pensions, protection of existing jobs, an end to exploitative labour practices and renewed efforts to strengthen the productive sector to create decent employment.
It also urged governments to ensure that economic relief programmes were adequately funded, inclusive and backed by clear implementation timelines.
The TUC maintained that policy announcements alone were insufficient, insisting that governments must demonstrate measurable improvements in Nigerians’ living conditions.
The congress also expressed concern over the Federal Government’s alleged failure to implement the outstanding CONHESS adjustment agreed upon with JOHESU following months of industrial action.
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It recalled that organised labour participated in negotiations that culminated in a conciliatory meeting involving government officials and representatives of the affected health workers.
The meeting produced a communiqué outlining commitments by both parties, after which JOHESU suspended its strike.
However, the TUC alleged that the agreed salary adjustment remained outstanding seven months after the resolution was reached.
It described the delay as a breach of good faith that could undermine confidence in collective bargaining and industrial relations.
The congress demanded immediate implementation of the adjustment, publication of a clear timetable, provision of the required budgetary allocations and resolution of outstanding issues in consultation with the unions.
It warned that health workers should not be expected to continue providing essential services while agreements reached with them remained unfulfilled.
The TUC said it would continue to support the affected unions and pursue lawful measures to ensure the government honoured its commitments.
Reaffirming its position, the congress said its demands were aimed at protecting workers’ livelihoods and securing economic justice, rather than seeking special treatment from the government.
It stressed that fair wages, social protection and measures to reduce the cost of living were essential to preserving workers’ dignity.
The labour centre disclosed that it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before determining its next course of action.
The latest position followed a letter dated October 8, 2026, which the TUC sent to the government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation after a meeting of its National Administrative Council in Abuja.