Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero has criticised the Trade Union Congress for rejecting the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers.
According to Channels Television, Ajaero defended the agreement during an appearance on The Morning Brief on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
The NLC president argued that the TUC had withdrawn from the negotiations that produced the agreement and therefore could not reject an intervention negotiated by another labour organisation.
The development highlights growing disagreements between the country’s two major labour federations over how to address workers’ declining purchasing power.
Ajaero challenges TUC over N70,000 allowance
Ajaero maintained that the TUC was not a signatory to the agreement reached between the Federal Government and the NLC.
He argued that the union should have pursued a higher financial package rather than opposing the intervention.
“The agreement was not signed by the Trade Union Congress; you don’t kick against something you did not negotiate or never asked for,” he said.
The labour leader explained that the NLC would have welcomed a situation where both unions demanded different amounts and the government subsequently harmonised their proposals.
However, he alleged that the TUC withdrew from the process.
NLC defends temporary transport support
Ajaero maintained that the additional N70,000 represented an important achievement for workers facing increased transportation and energy costs.
The proposed support would run for six months, beginning in November.
The amount is equivalent to the current national minimum wage.
Ajaero argued that the intervention could provide immediate financial relief while workers awaited broader salary negotiations.
He also challenged claims concerning the timing of the next minimum wage review.
According to him, negotiations should follow the applicable legal framework rather than be delayed unnecessarily.
TUC demands permanent salary increase
The controversy follows the TUC’s rejection of temporary financial interventions in favour of permanent salary adjustments.
TUC President Festus Osifo had called for substantial salary increases to protect workers against rising living costs.
However, Ajaero maintained that the TUC remained free to pursue a different or higher amount independently.
He insisted that the agreement secured by the NLC should not be undermined.
The disagreement comes as workers await details concerning eligibility, implementation and payment arrangements for the proposed transport allowance.
