The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 wage award, calling for an immediate salary increase and the fulfilment of outstanding agreements with health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The labour union described temporary wage awards as inadequate to address the rising cost of living, insisting that workers need a lasting improvement in their earnings rather than short-term relief measures.
The congress also accused the Federal Government of failing to fully implement the 2023 wage award for some workers and delaying the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for JOHESU members, despite an agreement reached seven months ago.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by TUC President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, following a National Administrative Council meeting held in Abuja on October 8, 2026.
According to the congress, it had formally written to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, requesting an urgent salary review in response to the increasing cost of living.
The TUC maintained that salary increases should not be delayed pending negotiations over the national minimum wage, arguing that no law prevents employers from paying workers above the stipulated minimum.
The congress proposed that the Federal Government increase the salary of the lowest-paid worker from the current ₦70,000 to ₦300,000, with corresponding adjustments for other salary grades.
It stressed that ongoing minimum wage negotiations should not prevent the government from taking immediate steps to improve workers’ earnings as they struggle with rising food prices, transportation costs, healthcare expenses and other basic needs.
The labour body disclosed that its leadership had met with government representatives, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, during consultations where it rejected the proposed wage award.
Explaining its position, the TUC said the previous wage award negotiated on October 2, 2023, was intended to remain in effect until a new minimum wage was agreed upon in 2024. However, it alleged that the arrangement was never fully implemented.
The congress stated that some workers were still owed one or two months of payments, while others had not received the allowance at all.
It further alleged that payments were irregular for workers who benefited from the scheme, with some receiving their entitlements only after repeated demands.
The TUC also claimed that more than 80 per cent of state governments and workers in the informal sector had not benefited from any form of wage award.
Questioning the government’s plan to introduce another temporary payment, the congress asked how workers could trust a fresh arrangement when previous commitments remained unfulfilled.
It argued that a permanent salary increase would offer more reliable support than temporary allowances that had failed to reach workers consistently.
The union therefore insisted that negotiations over a new national minimum wage must not be used to postpone urgent salary adjustments.
Beyond improved wages, the TUC called on federal, state and local governments to introduce practical measures to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.
It also urged authorities to ensure the prompt payment of salaries and pensions, protect jobs, tackle exploitative labour practices and strengthen the productive sector to generate decent employment opportunities.
The congress noted that the economic crisis affects not only federal government employees but also state and local government workers, pensioners, private-sector employees and people working in the informal economy.
It called for properly funded interventions with clear implementation timelines, stressing that government promises must translate into meaningful improvements in Nigerians’ living conditions.
TUC Accuses FG of Delaying JOHESU Agreement
In a related development, the TUC accused the Federal Government of failing to implement an agreement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions following months of industrial action.
The congress disclosed that its president, Festus Osifo, led a delegation of organised labour, including JOHESU representatives and a representative of another labour congress, during negotiations to resolve the dispute.
The discussions resulted in a conciliation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, where both parties reached an agreement documented in a communiqué.
The government delegation was led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, alongside the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
According to the TUC, JOHESU suspended its industrial action in good faith after the agreement was signed, but the government has allegedly failed to fulfil its commitments.
The agreement reportedly included provisions for resolving outstanding issues surrounding the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, otherwise known as CONHESS.
However, the congress alleged that the adjustment remained unimplemented seven months after the agreement was reached.
The TUC accused the government of failing to honour its side of the bargain despite the unions fulfilling their own obligations by suspending the strike.
It warned that continued delays could undermine trust in collective bargaining and weaken confidence in agreements between organised labour and the government.
The congress demanded the immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment, the publication of a clear implementation schedule, the release of necessary budgetary provisions and the resolution of all outstanding matters in consultation with the affected unions.
It maintained that health workers should not be expected to continue providing essential services while agreements concerning their welfare remain unfulfilled.
The TUC called for concrete action rather than further assurances, pledging its support for the affected unions and promising to pursue lawful measures to ensure compliance.
Reaffirming its position, the congress said workers were demanding fair treatment, better living conditions and respect for their rights, rather than special favours.
The union added that it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action.
Background to the Wage Dispute
The latest disagreement comes amid Nigeria’s persistent cost-of-living crisis, which has intensified pressure on organised labour to secure higher wages and measures to protect workers’ purchasing power.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the national minimum wage law, raising the statutory monthly minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 after negotiations between the Federal Government and organised labour.
The agreement followed months of disagreements over workers’ earnings amid rising transportation, food and household expenses linked to the removal of the petrol subsidy and other economic reforms.
Although the new minimum wage established a higher statutory earnings threshold for eligible workers, it did not automatically resolve demands for adjustments across different salary grades or address the broader increase in living cos
