The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed wage award, demanding instead an immediate salary increase for workers and full implementation of the agreement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja and jointly signed by its President-General, Festus Osifo and Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, the Congress said its position was contained in a demand letter dated October 8, 2026, sent to the Federal Government through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.
The TUC said the government does not need to conclude minimum wage negotiations before increasing workers’ pay, noting that there is no maximum wage law in the country.
It argued that the Federal Government can raise the pay of the lowest worker to N300,000 from the current N70,000 and apply consequential adjustment, as some states already pay above N100,000 as minimum wage.
The Congress vehemently rejected the proposal of wage award during consultative meetings with government officials, including the SGF, describing temporary wage awards as unsustainable and far-reaching.
It recalled that the N35,000 wage award agreed on October 2, 2023, was never implemented holistically, with some workers still owed one or two months while others never received it at all.
It further stated that over 80% of states and the informal sector never implemented any form of wage award, adding that negotiations for a new national minimum wage must not become an excuse for postponing urgent pay increment.
On the cost-of-living crisis, the TUC said the economic hardship affects not only federal workers but also state and local government employees, pensioners and informal sector workers.
It called on governments at all levels to implement measurable interventions to reduce the cost of food, transportation and healthcare, ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, and revitalise the productive sector.
On the JOHESU issue, the TUC said its President led the organised labour team that negotiated the suspension of the health workers’ industrial action after several meetings held at the offices of the Ministers of Health and Labour.
According to the Congress, the agreement provided that all outstanding issues relating to the CONHESS adjustment would be conclusively addressed without delay, but seven months after, it remains unimplemented.
The TUC demanded immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment, publication of a clear timetable and provision of necessary budgetary provisions, warning that it would stand firmly with its affiliates and pursue every lawful measure to secure compliance.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
