Labour Crisis: NLC Tackles TUC Over Rejection of N70,000 Federal Transport Allowance Deal

​ABUJA — The leadership feud within Nigeria’s organized labor movement has deepened significantly following a sharp rebuke by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) directed at its sister body, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), over the latter’s outright rejection of the newly negotiated ₦70,000 monthly federal transport allowance.

​The friction erupted after a conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the NLC in Abuja yielded an agreement for a temporary six-month transportation relief package valued at ₦70,000 for workers to cushion ongoing economic hardships.

​However, the TUC—jointly led by President Festus Osifo and Secretary-General Nuhu Toro—swiftly rejected the deal. The TUC dismissed the package as “inadequate temporary relief,” arguing that a short-term stipend does little to combat spiraling inflation. Instead, the congress demanded an immediate, comprehensive, and permanent review of workers’ base salaries alongside full compliance with previous outstanding wage award obligations.

​Ajaero Fires Back: “You Cannot Reject What Was Not Given to You”

​Reacting sharply to the pushback, NLC President Joe Ajaero berated the TUC’s stance, stating that it was entirely improper for an organization that did not take part in the negotiations to turn around and challenge the outcome.

​Ajaero clarified that the NLC negotiated the transport intervention independently after the TUC distanced itself from the preliminary discussions.

​“The agreement was not signed by TUC. You don’t kick against something you did not negotiate or ask for,” Ajaero said. He emphasized that the TUC lacks the locus standi to reject terms secured by a sister labor center.

​Addressing the TUC’s demand for immediate salary increments instead of a temporary allowance, the NLC leadership noted that structural wage reviews require a formal administrative process. Ajaero maintained that while the NLC shares the ultimate goal of achieving sustainable wage justice, the government’s temporary transport intervention provides immediate relief that should not be undermined by uncoordinated opposition.