TUC Demands N300k Minimum Salary, Rejects Proposed N70k Wage Award

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public workers, insisting that an immediate salary increase would provide more sustainable relief amid rising living costs.

The labour organisation has proposed raising the salary of the lowest-paid federal worker from the current ₦70,000 minimum wage to ₦300,000, with corresponding adjustments to other salary levels.

The TUC stated its position in a statement signed by its President-General, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, following discussions on the economic hardship affecting workers and the wider population.

The Federal Government had announced a six-month transport allowance for workers following a conciliation meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Payments are expected to begin in November 2026.

The government also agreed to pay outstanding peculiar allowance arrears in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.

However, the TUC argued that temporary assistance would not adequately address the pressures facing workers, including the rising cost of food, transportation, healthcare and other essential goods and services.

The congress said the government could increase salaries without waiting for a fresh national minimum wage negotiation, arguing that there was no legal ceiling preventing employers from paying above the existing minimum.

It also called for the implementation of outstanding agreements with organised labour, particularly the agreement involving the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

According to the TUC, some workers have yet to receive one or two months of the wage award agreed upon by the government and organised labour in October 2023, while others reportedly received no payment.

The congress questioned why workers should accept new assurances when previous commitments remained outstanding.

The union’s position comes amid broader debate over how best to cushion the effects of economic pressures on public-sector employees. While the proposed transport allowance is intended to provide short-term support, the TUC is advocating a lasting increase in earnings.

The congress said it would await the outcome of discussions with the Federal Government before deciding its next course of action.

The proposed ₦300,000 salary is the TUC’s demand and has not been announced as an approved federal minimum wage. Any increase would require government action and the applicable administrative and budgetary processes.