The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed wage award for workers, demanding an immediate increase in salaries and a new minimum monthly wage of ₦300,000 for the lowest-paid worker.
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The labour union also demanded the immediate implementation of the agreement reached between the Federal Government and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), particularly the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which it said remained unimplemented seven months after the agreement was reached.
The demands were contained in a letter dated October 8, 2026, addressed to the Federal Government through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja and jointly signed by its President-General, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the TUC maintained that the government could increase workers’ salaries without waiting for negotiations on a new national minimum wage.
The Congress argued that no provision of Nigerian law places a ceiling on wages, insisting that the Federal Government has the authority to increase salaries and make corresponding adjustments across other salary levels.
It proposed raising the minimum monthly salary from the current ₦70,000 to ₦300,000, pointing out that some states already pay minimum wages exceeding ₦100,000.
The labour body explained that it rejected the proposed wage award during consultations with government officials, including the SGF, because temporary payments would not provide sustainable financial relief to workers struggling with the rising cost of living.
The TUC cited the incomplete implementation of the ₦35,000 wage award agreed upon on October 2, 2023, as evidence of the limitations of temporary wage interventions.
According to the Congress, some workers are still owed one or two months of the agreed payment, while others did not receive the wage award at all.
It further claimed that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector did not benefit from any form of wage award.
The union maintained that an immediate salary increase would provide more sustainable relief than temporary payments, warning that negotiations over a new national minimum wage should not become an excuse for delaying improvements in workers’ earnings.
The TUC also expressed concern that the economic hardship facing Nigerians extended beyond federal civil servants to state and local government employees, pensioners and workers in the informal sector.
It therefore called on governments at all levels to introduce measurable measures to reduce the cost of food, transportation and healthcare while ensuring the timely payment of salaries and pensions.
The Congress further urged the government to strengthen the productive sector as part of broader efforts to address inflationary pressures and improve the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.
On the health sector, the TUC demanded the immediate implementation of the agreement reached with JOHESU following negotiations that led to the suspension of the union’s industrial action.
The Congress disclosed that its president led the organised labour delegation during meetings held at the offices of the ministers responsible for health and labour.
According to the TUC, the agreement provided for the resolution of all outstanding issues concerning the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure without further delay.
However, the labour body expressed dissatisfaction that the Federal Government had yet to fulfil the commitment seven months after the agreement was reached.
It called on the government to implement the CONHESS adjustment immediately, publish a clear timetable for compliance and make the necessary budgetary provisions to give effect to the agreement.
The TUC warned that it would stand firmly with its affiliated unions and pursue all lawful measures available to ensure that the Federal Government honours its commitments.
The Congress maintained that improving workers’ earnings, addressing outstanding labour agreements and reducing the cost of essential goods and services were necessary to ease the financial pressure on Nigerian households.
Its demands come amid growing concerns over the rising cost of living, declining purchasing power and continued pressure on governments to improve workers’ welfare and fulfil outstanding agreements with organised labour.
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