RismadarVoice Reporters
November 5, 2026
Former leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have initiated reconciliation efforts following disagreements between the two labour centres over the Federal Government’s ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers.
The intervention follows public exchanges between NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo over the structure of the allowance and the representation of workers during negotiations.
Former NLC President Ayuba Wabba disclosed the peace initiative on Wednesday during the 52nd National Executive Council meeting of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in Abuja.
Wabba said former labour leaders, including Hassan Sunmonu, Abdulwaheed Omar, Peter Esele, Bobboi Kaigama and Quadri Olaleye, had begun consultations aimed at resolving the disagreement.
He described the dispute as an internal misunderstanding that should be settled through dialogue rather than continued public confrontation.
According to Wabba, both labour centres have agreed to suspend hostilities while arrangements are made for a formal reconciliation meeting.
The disagreement followed the Federal Government’s approval of a ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention for public service workers across all grade levels for six months, beginning in November 2026.
While the NLC supported the temporary intervention as part of ongoing wage negotiations, the TUC argued that workers would benefit more from a permanent salary increase.
The TUC also raised concerns about its exclusion from the negotiations that produced the agreement.
Speaking at the meeting, Ajaero defended the allowance, maintaining that the benefit should not be abandoned without securing a sustainable alternative.
TUC General Secretary Nuhu Toro similarly explained that the disagreement concerned the structure and long-term value of the payment rather than opposition to improving workers’ welfare.
Meanwhile, MHWUN President Ado Sani called for greater unity among labour organisations, warning that divisions could weaken efforts to address economic hardship and outstanding government commitments.
Sani expressed concern over delays in implementing adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
He recalled that health workers suspended an 84-day strike in February following an agreement with the Federal Government, but said the expected April implementation timeline had not been met.
The union leader warned that continued delays could renew industrial tensions, stressing that the earlier strike had only been suspended.
He urged the Ministries of Health and Labour to ensure outstanding agreements were implemented.
The labour veterans maintained that restoring cooperation between the NLC and TUC was essential to protecting workers’ interests and strengthening collective negotiations with the Federal Government.
