TUC Rejects FG’s N70,000 Wage Award, Demands N300,000 Minimum Pay

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the federal government’s proposed N70,000 monthly wage award for workers, demanding a more substantial salary increase that could raise the pay of the lowest-paid federal worker to N300,000.

The congress described the proposed bonus as inadequate and temporary, arguing that it would not provide lasting relief for workers grappling with rising living costs.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, the labour body said the federal government could increase workers’ salaries without negotiating a new national minimum wage, noting that no law prescribes a maximum wage that employers must pay.

The TUC also cited state governments that have raised their minimum wages above N100,000, arguing that the federal government could implement a higher salary structure with corresponding adjustments across other salary grades.

The congress said its position was informed by concerns over the implementation of previous wage agreements, recalling that a wage award agreed upon on October 2, 2023, had not been fully implemented, leaving some workers without the complete benefits.

It said the failure to honour the earlier agreement had undermined workers’ confidence in collective bargaining and called for a clear implementation timetable, concrete commitments and adequate budgetary provisions for any new salary adjustments.

Beyond the wage award, the TUC demanded the immediate implementation of the agreed adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for members of the Joint Health Sector Unions.

According to the congress, seven months had elapsed since the agreement was reached, but the adjustment remained outstanding despite the suspension of industrial action by the affected health workers.

The labour body urged the government to honour the terms of settlement and resolve outstanding wage-related issues, warning that the implementation of agreements was necessary to sustain confidence between organised labour and the government.

The TUC said it was awaiting the outcome of a scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before determining its next line of action.

The N300,000 figure represents the congress’s proposed pay level and not an approved salary increase.

The Bola Tinubu-led government had on Tuesday proposed a N70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers for six months.