Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 wage award, demanding an immediate and sustainable salary increase for workers rather than temporary relief measures it said had failed to benefit all eligible employees.
The Congress also called for the immediate implementation of the outstanding Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment for members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), accusing the Federal Government of failing to honour an agreement that led to the suspension of the unions’ prolonged industrial action.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Comrade N.A. Toro, the TUC said the government should increase workers’ salaries without waiting for negotiations on a new national minimum wage.
The Congress argued that the absence of a legally prescribed maximum wage meant that the government could increase salaries beyond the existing minimum wage without waiting for another round of negotiations.
According to the TUC, the Federal Government could raise the salary of the lowest-paid federal worker to ₦300,000 and apply the appropriate consequential adjustments to other salary grades.
It cited states that had raised their minimum wages above ₦100,000 as evidence that a more substantial salary increase was possible.
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👉 JOIN GISTSMATE WHATSAPP CHANNELThe Congress maintained that negotiations for a new national minimum wage should not become an excuse for delaying urgent salary adjustments amid the rising cost of living.
“Our position was very clear: Federal Government should review and increase salaries of workers,” the statement said.
Rejects Temporary Relief
Explaining its opposition to the proposed wage award, the TUC recalled that the previous ₦40,000 wage award, agreed upon by the Federal Government and organised labour on October 2, 2023, was intended to remain in place until a new national minimum wage was negotiated in 2024.
However, it alleged that the arrangement was not fully implemented, leaving some workers with outstanding payments while others received nothing.
The Congress further complained that some beneficiaries received payments irregularly, with intervals of one or two months and repeated demands required to secure the money.
It also alleged that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector did not benefit from any form of wage award.
Questioning the government’s decision to propose another temporary arrangement, the TUC asked: “How do we go back to the same wage award that never benefited all workers? How can workers be expected to trust fresh promises when previous obligations remain outstanding?”
The Congress insisted that a direct salary increase would provide workers with more dependable relief than temporary payments whose implementation could be inconsistent.
“Salary is the only consistent and far-reaching pay that workers could rely upon,” it declared.
It warned that the economic sacrifices of Nigerian workers should not be undermined by what it described as an ill-conceived temporary measure.
Demands cost-of-living relief
Beyond salary increases, the TUC called on the Federal, state and local governments to introduce measurable interventions to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.
It noted that the economic hardship extended beyond federal workers to state and local government employees, pensioners, private-sector workers and those in the informal economy, all of whom were grappling with rising food, transportation and healthcare costs.
The Congress urged governments at all levels to ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs, curb exploitative labour practices and revitalise the productive sector to generate decent employment.
It also demanded that such interventions be inclusive, adequately funded and supported by clear implementation timelines.
According to the TUC, governments must move beyond policy announcements and demonstrate tangible improvements in the living conditions of Nigerians.
Insists on JOHESU agreement
On the lingering dispute involving JOHESU, the Congress accused the Federal Government of failing to implement the agreement reached with the health workers following months of industrial action.
It recalled that Osifo led the organised labour delegation, including JOHESU leaders and a representative of its sister congress, in negotiations to resolve the dispute.
The final conciliatory meeting was held at the office of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, with the Federal Government delegation also including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, and the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
The meeting produced a communiqué containing commitments by both parties, following which JOHESU suspended its industrial action in good faith.
According to the TUC, the agreement provided for the conclusive resolution of all outstanding issues relating to the CONHESS adjustment without further delay.
However, the Congress said the adjustment remained unimplemented seven months after the agreement.
“This continued failure to honour an explicit commitment violates the principle of good faith, undermines confidence in collective bargaining and is absolutely unacceptable to the TUC,” it stated.
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.
It warned that health workers should not be expected to continue providing essential services while commitments made to them remained unfulfilled.
“The TUC demands tangible action, not further assurances,” the statement added, pledging to stand with the affected unions and pursue all lawful measures necessary to secure compliance.
Awaits outcome of FG meeting
The Congress reiterated that its demands were aimed at securing economic justice and protecting workers’ livelihoods, rather than seeking favours from the government.
It maintained that adequate wages, social protection and measures to reduce the cost of living were essential to safeguarding workers’ dignity.
“Workers’ welfare is not a privilege. Agreements must be honoured. Workers’ rights must be respected. Government must comply,” the TUC declared.
The Congress said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next line of action.
The statement followed a letter dated October 8, 2026, which the TUC sent to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation after a meeting of its National Administrative Council in Abuja.
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