The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 wage award, demanding an increase in the monthly salary of the lowest-paid worker to N300,000 to cushion the effects of rising living costs.
The congress described temporary wage allowances as inadequate to address the economic hardship facing Nigerian workers, urging the government to implement a permanent salary review and honour outstanding agreements with organised labour.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the TUC President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, following a National Administrative Council meeting held in Abuja on October 8, 2026.
The congress said it had written to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding an immediate review of workers’ salaries in response to rising food prices, transportation costs, healthcare expenses and other essential needs.
According to the TUC, the government does not need to wait for negotiations on the national minimum wage before reviewing workers’ salaries, arguing that there is no legal ceiling on how much employers can pay.
It proposed raising the monthly salary of the lowest-paid worker from N70,000 to N300,000, with corresponding adjustments across other salary grades.
The congress also expressed concern over the implementation of the 2023 wage award, alleging that the arrangement had not benefited workers consistently across the country.
It said some workers were still owed one or two months’ payments, while others had yet to receive the allowance. Some beneficiaries, it added, experienced irregular payments and were repeatedly forced to demand their entitlements.
The TUC further claimed that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector had not benefited from any form of wage award.
It questioned the rationale for introducing another temporary relief measure when outstanding obligations under the previous arrangement remained unsettled.
The congress maintained that ongoing negotiations on a new national minimum wage should not prevent the government from implementing urgent salary increases for workers grappling with mounting economic pressures.
Beyond salary adjustments, the TUC called on federal, state and local governments to introduce practical measures to reduce the cost of essential goods and services, ensure prompt payment of salaries and pensions, protect jobs and address exploitative labour practices.
TUC Accuses FG of Breaching Health Workers’ Agreement
The congress also accused the Federal Government of failing to implement an agreement with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
According to the TUC, representatives of organised labour, JOHESU leaders and government officials reached an agreement during conciliation talks at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The government delegation included the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; and the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
The congress said JOHESU suspended its industrial action in good faith following the agreement but alleged that the government had failed to fulfil its commitments seven months later.
It described the delay in implementing the CONHESS adjustment as a breach of the agreement, warning that failure to honour commitments could undermine confidence in collective bargaining.
The TUC consequently demanded the immediate implementation of the salary adjustment, a clear timetable for execution, adequate budgetary provisions and consultations with the relevant unions to resolve outstanding issues.
It also pledged to support affected health workers and pursue lawful measures to compel the government to honour the agreement.
The congress said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action. It did not announce an immediate nationwide strike.
Nigeria’s national minimum wage was increased from N30,000 to N70,000 monthly in July 2024 after President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage law following negotiations with organised labour.
However, the increase has not ended calls for broader salary reviews and additional measures to protect workers’ purchasing power amid rising living costs.
The TUC maintained that Nigerian workers needed lasting improvements in their earnings rather than temporary relief measures, stressing that government agreements must be honoured and workers’ welfare prioritised.
