NLC, TUC Clash Over ₦70,000 Transport Intervention as Ajaero Says TUC Lacks Power to Reject Deal

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have clashed over the Federal Government’s ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention for workers, with NLC President Joe Ajaero insisting the TUC has no right to reject an agreement it did not negotiate.

The Federal Government announced the six-month transport allowance on Tuesday following a conciliation meeting with NLC leaders in Abuja, captured in a memorandum of understanding.

The TUC rejected the arrangement on Wednesday, arguing that temporary wage awards were neither sustainable nor far-reaching, and called for an immediate salary increase instead.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday, Ajaero said the TUC withdrew from the negotiation process and could not oppose an outcome it had no hand in producing.

“The agreement was not signed by the Trade Union Congress; you don’t kick against something you did not negotiate or never asked for,” Ajaero said.

Ajaero said he would have preferred the TUC to negotiate for a higher amount rather than reject what the NLC secured. “I would have preferred a situation whereby if NLC was asking for one naira, TUC will be asking for 10 naira,” he said.

He alleged that the TUC leadership distanced itself from the process after reports emerged that both labour centres were jointly meeting with the government. “They threatened us and said they are not part of it,” Ajaero said.

The NLC president also disputed the TUC’s position that the minimum wage was due for renegotiation in August 2027, saying it was inconsistent with the law.

Responding, TUC President Festus Osifo defended the congress’s stance at the 2026 Labour Conference in Abuja, saying previous wage interventions had failed to reach many workers.

He noted that the 2023 wage award was not implemented by several states and that some federal workers never received it.

Osifo, represented by PENGASSAN President Bosun Olabiyi-Agoro, said the TUC wanted the intervention incorporated into salaries to ensure wider implementation.

“We felt that if we continue to do things the same way, we are most likely going to be getting the same results,” he said.

Osifo also cautioned the government against exploiting differences between the two labour centres. “Government must also be very careful not to think they have anything to gain from playing divide and rule between NLC and TUC,” he said.

Ajaero maintained that the TUC remained free to pursue its own demands. “He is still free to agitate for one million naira but not to reject what we have gotten,” he said.

The intervention is expected to provide temporary relief to workers over six months amid rising transportation costs and living expenses.