The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 wage award, insisting on an immediate and sustainable salary increase for workers instead of what it described as temporary relief measures that had failed to reach all eligible employees.
The Congress also demanded 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 reneging on an agreement that led to the suspension of the unions’ prolonged industrial action.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, the TUC said the government should increase workers’ salaries without waiting for negotiations on a new national minimum wage.
The union argued that there was no legally prescribed maximum wage, meaning the government could increase salaries above the existing minimum wage without waiting for another round of negotiations.
It proposed that the salary of the lowest-paid federal worker could be raised to ₦300,000, with corresponding adjustments across other salary grades.
The TUC said the decision by some states to raise their minimum wages above ₦100,000 demonstrated that a more substantial salary increase was achievable.
It maintained that negotiations for a new national minimum wage should not be used as an excuse to delay urgent salary adjustments amid the worsening cost-of-living crisis.
“Our position was very clear: Federal Government should review and increase salaries of workers.”
TUC Rejects Fresh Wage Award
The Congress said its opposition to the proposed ₦70,000 wage award was informed by its experience with the previous ₦40,000 wage award agreed by the Federal Government and organised labour on October 2, 2023.
According to the TUC, the previous arrangement was expected to remain in effect until a new national minimum wage was negotiated in 2024, but was not fully implemented.
It alleged that some workers were left with outstanding payments while others received nothing, while some beneficiaries were paid irregularly, sometimes at intervals of one or two months and only after repeated demands.
The Congress further claimed 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 rationale for another temporary intervention, the TUC said workers could not be expected to trust fresh promises while previous obligations remained outstanding.
“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 argued that a direct salary increase would provide more reliable and sustainable 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.
The TUC 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 Measures
Beyond salary increases, the Congress called on the Federal, state and local governments to introduce measurable interventions to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.
It said the economic hardship was affecting not only federal workers but also state and local government employees, pensioners, private-sector workers and those in the informal economy.
The union identified rising food, transportation and healthcare costs as major pressures on households and urged governments at all levels to ensure the timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs, curb exploitative labour practices and revitalise the productive sector to create decent employment.
It also demanded that all interventions be inclusive, adequately funded and backed by clear implementation timelines.
The TUC said governments must move beyond policy announcements and demonstrate tangible improvements in the living conditions of Nigerians.
TUC Demands Immediate CONHESS Implementation
On the lingering dispute involving JOHESU, the Congress accused the Federal Government of failing to implement the agreement reached with the health workers after months of industrial action.
It recalled that Osifo led the organised labour delegation, alongside JOHESU leaders and a representative of its sister congress, during negotiations to resolve the dispute. 
The final conciliatory meeting was held at the office of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, with the Federal Government delegation also including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, 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 sides, after which JOHESU suspended its industrial action in good faith.
According to the TUC, the agreement provided for the conclusive resolution of outstanding issues relating to the CONHESS adjustment without further delay.
However, the Congress said the adjustment had 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.”
The Congress demanded the immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment, publication of a clear implementation timetable, provision of the required budgetary allocations and resolution of outstanding issues in consultation with the affected unions.
It warned that health workers should not be expected to continue providing essential services while government commitments to them remained unfulfilled.
“The TUC demands tangible action, not further assurances,”
the Congress said, pledging to support the affected unions and pursue all lawful measures necessary to secure compliance.
Congress Awaits Outcome of FG Meeting
The TUC said 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 preserving workers’ dignity.
“Workers’ welfare is not a privilege. Agreements must be honoured. Workers’ rights must be respected. Government must comply.”
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.
