Mark Aba, Abuja
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 wage award, demanding an immediate salary increase for workers.
According to its President General, Engr. Festus Osifo, and Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, the TUC argued that the government did not need to conclude negotiations on a new national minimum wage before increasing workers’ salaries.
The congress said its position was communicated to the Federal Government in a letter dated October 8, 2026, following its National Administrative Council (NAC), meeting in Abuja and earlier engagements on the economic hardship facing workers and other Nigerians.
According to the TUC, the government could raise the salary of the lowest-paid worker to ₦300,000 from the current ₦70,000 and apply the appropriate consequential adjustments, noting that some states had already raised their minimum wages above ₦100,000.
“From the foregoing we further reiterate our demand for a pay raise for all government workers as salary is the only consistent and far-reaching pay that workers could rely upon.
“This was our position during the consultative interaction and it’s still our position today; as we strongly believe that the long sacrifices of Nigerian workers should not be sacrificed at the altar of an ill-conceived temporary measure.
“Negotiations of a new national minimum wage must not become an excuse for postponing urgent pay increment,” the statement stated.
The congress explained that it rejected the proposed wage award because temporary interventions were neither sustainable nor far-reaching, recalling that the agreement reached between the Federal Government and organised labour on October 2, 2023, was intended to remain in effect until a new minimum wage was agreed in 2024 but was not fully implemented.
TUC insisted that outstanding payments under the 2023 wage award must be settled before fresh temporary relief measures are introduced.
The congress said some workers were still owed one or two months of the 2023 wage award, while others never received the payment, questioning the government’s credibility in proposing another temporary intervention amid the rising cost of living.
“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 asked.
It further alleged that payment of the 2023 wage award was irregular, explaining that some workers who received up to four months of the ₦40,000 award were paid at intervals of one or two months and had to make repeated demands.
The TUC also claimed that more than 80 per cent of states and the informal sector did not implement any form of wage award.
Beyond salary increases, the congress called on governments at all levels to introduce measurable interventions to reduce the cost of food, transportation, healthcare and other essential goods and services.
It also demanded timely payment of salaries and pensions, protection of existing jobs, an end to exploitative labour practices and renewed investment in productive sectors to create decent employment.
On the dispute involving the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), the TUC accused the Federal Government of failing to implement the agreement reached to resolve the union’s prolonged industrial action, which was suspended in good faith after a conciliation process involving organised labour and government officials.
The congress said the agreement provided for the resolution of outstanding issues relating to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), but the adjustment remained unimplemented seven months after the settlement.
It called on the government to implement the agreement immediately, publish a clear timetable, provide the necessary budgetary provisions and resolve outstanding matters in consultation with the unions.
The TUC warned that the failure to honour the agreement undermined confidence in collective bargaining and insisted that health workers should not continue delivering essential services while commitments made to them remained unfulfilled.
Furthermore, the union pledged to support affected affiliates and pursue lawful measures to secure compliance.
TUC said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next line of action, while reiterating its demand for immediate salary increases, relief from the rising cost of living and full implementation of agreements reached with organised labour.
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