RismadarVoice Reporters
November 5, 2026
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has reiterated its rejection of the Federal Government’s ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public servants, demanding a permanent salary increase instead of a temporary financial intervention.
TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, explained the union’s position during a television interview on Wednesday, arguing that the proposed six-month allowance would not provide sustainable relief for workers facing rising living costs.
Toro said previous wage awards had suffered implementation challenges, with some ministries, departments and agencies still owing workers outstanding payments from the ₦40,000 wage award introduced in 2023.
He maintained that the government should incorporate the proposed ₦70,000 into workers’ regular earnings through existing salary components, including transport or housing allowances.
According to him, such an arrangement could effectively raise the earnings of workers receiving the ₦70,000 minimum wage to approximately ₦140,000 monthly.
However, the proposal would not automatically change the statutory national minimum wage without the necessary legal and administrative processes.
Toro questioned what would happen to workers’ earnings after the six-month intervention expires, particularly if negotiations for a new minimum wage remain unresolved.
The labour leader also expressed concern over the alleged exclusion of some public sector unions from negotiations that produced the allowance agreement.
He said the TUC had already submitted its demands to the Federal Government before the transport allowance was announced.
The Congress has separately proposed increasing the salary of the lowest-paid federal worker to ₦300,000, with corresponding adjustments for other salary grades.
It also demanded implementation of outstanding agreements affecting public sector workers, including commitments to health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions.
The Federal Government had announced the ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance following negotiations with the Nigeria Labour Congress, with payments scheduled to begin in November 2026 and continue for six months.
However, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have defended the arrangement, arguing that the TUC’s opposition should not prevent its implementation.
The negotiating council maintained that the allowance was intended to provide immediate relief from rising transportation costs while broader labour issues remained under consideration.
Despite the disagreement, Toro insisted that workers required predictable and lasting improvements in their earnings.
He said discussions with government representatives were continuing, with the TUC maintaining its demand for permanent salary adjustments and implementation of outstanding labour agreements.
