The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the federal government’s proposed N70,000 wage award, demanding an immediate salary review that would raise the pay of the lowest-paid worker to N300,000 monthly.
Key Highlights
- TUC rejects the FG’s proposed N70,000 wage award as a temporary measure.
- Congress demands N300,000 monthly pay for the lowest-paid worker.
- TUC says the 2023 wage award has not been paid uniformly, with over 80% of states excluded.
- Congress accuses FG of failing to implement CONHESS agreement with JOHESU.
The congress said temporary allowances were insufficient to address the rising cost of living, urging the government to introduce permanent salary increases and fulfil outstanding agreements with workers.
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.
According to the congress, it has formally written to the federal government through the office of the secretary to the government of the federation, calling for an urgent review of workers’ salaries amid rising food, transportation, healthcare and other essential expenses.
‘No Legal Ceiling On Wages’
The TUC argued that the government did not need to wait for negotiations on the national minimum wage before increasing salaries, noting that there was no legal ceiling on how much employers could pay their workers.
It proposed raising the salary of the lowest-paid worker from the current N70,000 to N300,000 monthly, with corresponding adjustments across other salary grades.
Concerns Over 2023 Wage Award
The congress also expressed concern over the implementation of the 2023 wage award, alleging that the arrangement has not benefited workers uniformly.
It said some workers were still owed one or two months’ payments, while others have not received the allowance at all.
Furthermore, it alleged that payments to some beneficiaries were irregular, with workers sometimes waiting one or two months between payments.
The TUC claimed that more than 80 percent of states and workers in the informal sector have not benefited from any form of wage award.
It questioned the rationale for introducing another temporary arrangement, when outstanding obligations from the previous agreement remain unresolved.
The congress maintained that negotiations on a new national minimum wage should not prevent the government from granting urgent salary increases to workers struggling with economic hardship.
Beyond higher salaries, it called on federal, state and local governments to introduce measurable measures to reduce the cost of essential goods and services, ensure prompt payment of salaries and pensions, protect jobs and curb exploitative labour practices.
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JOHESU Agreement
The congress also accused the federal government of failing to implement an agreement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) concerning adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
According to the TUC, organised labour representatives, JOHESU leaders and government officials reached an agreement following conciliation talks at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The congress said JOHESU suspended its industrial action in good faith after the agreement was reached, but alleged that the government had failed to fulfil its commitments seven months later.
It described the delay in adjusting CONHESS as a breach of the agreement and warned that failure to honour commitments could undermine confidence in collective bargaining.
The TUC demanded immediate implementation of the salary adjustment, publication of a clear timetable, provision of the necessary budgetary allocations and resolution of outstanding issues in consultation with the relevant unions.
It also pledged to support the affected health workers and pursue lawful measures to ensure compliance.
The congress said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the federal government before deciding on its next line of action.
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