The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 wage award, demanding an immediate and sustainable salary increase for workers amid rising living costs.
The Congress also called for the immediate implementation of the outstanding Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment for members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), accusing the government of failing to honour an agreement that led to the suspension of the unions’ prolonged strike.
The TUC made its position known in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro.
The statement followed a letter dated 8 October 2026, which the Congress 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.
The Congress argued that the government should increase workers’ salaries without waiting for negotiations on a new national minimum wage, noting that there was no legally prescribed maximum wage preventing it from granting higher salaries.
It proposed that the salary of the lowest-paid federal worker be raised to N300,000, with corresponding adjustments to other salary grades.
The TUC cited states that had raised their minimum wages above N100,000 as evidence that a more substantial salary increase was achievable.
“Our position was very clear: Federal Government should review and increase salaries of workers,” the statement said.
The Congress recalled that the previous N40,000 wage award, agreed upon by the Federal Government and organized labour on 2 October 2023, was intended to remain in effect until a new national minimum wage was negotiated in 2024.
However, it alleged that the arrangement was not fully implemented, leaving some workers with outstanding payments while others received nothing.
It further complained that some beneficiaries received payments irregularly, sometimes at intervals of one or two months, and had to repeatedly demand their entitlements.
The TUC also alleged 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 Congress asked how workers could trust fresh promises when previous commitments remained unfulfilled.
It maintained that a direct salary increase would provide more reliable relief than temporary payments that could be inconsistently implemented.
“Salary is the only consistent and far-reaching pay that workers could rely upon,” it declared.
The Congress urged the government to address the economic hardship confronting workers through sustainable wage adjustments rather than what it described as an inadequate temporary measure.
It also called on the federal, state and local governments to introduce measurable interventions to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.
According to the TUC, the hardship extends beyond federal workers to state and local government employees, pensioners, private-sector workers and those in the informal economy, who are struggling with rising food, transportation and healthcare costs.
It urged governments at all levels to ensure prompt payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs, curb exploitative labour practices and revitalise the productive sector to generate decent employment.
The Congress further demanded inclusive and adequately funded interventions backed by clear implementation timelines, insisting that governments must demonstrate tangible improvements in citizens’ living conditions.
On the lingering dispute involving JOHESU, the Congress accused the Federal Government of failing to implement an agreement reached with the health workers following months of industrial action.
It recalled that Osifo led an organized labour delegation, including 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, Prof. Ali Pate, and the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
The meeting produced a communiqué outlining commitments by both parties, following which JOHESU suspended its strike 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 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 statement said.
The Congress demanded immediate implementation of the adjustment, publication of a clear timetable, provision of the necessary budgetary allocations and resolution of outstanding issues in consultation with the relevant unions.
It warned that health workers should not be expected to continue providing essential services while agreements reached with them remained unfulfilled.
“The TUC demands tangible action, not further assurances,” the statement added, pledging support for the affected unions and promising to pursue all lawful measures necessary to secure compliance.
The Congress maintained that its demands were aimed at securing economic justice and protecting workers’ livelihoods, rather than seeking favours from the government.
It stressed 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 statement declared.
The TUC said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next line of action.
