Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has reaffirmed its demand for a sustainable wage enhance as various to a different wage award, insisting the N70,000 transport allowance agreed between federal authorities and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) isn’t sufficient to handle staff’ hardship.
In a communique issued at finish of its emergency National Administrative Council (NAC) assembly held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, TUC stated a wage enhance presents a extra significant intervention to enhance buying energy and dwelling requirements.
The communique signed by Secretary General, Comrade Nuhu Toro, stated NAC reaffirmed its place as said in its press launch of October 21, 2026, emphasizing that minimal wage is a statutory flooring and never a ceiling on staff’ earnings.
TUC stated it’s demanding wage enhance and never one other wage award, significantly in view of federal authorities’s failure to completely implement wage award palliative agreed on October 2, 2023, which was supposed to run till new minimal wage was signed into legislation on July 29, 2024. Under that settlement, staff acquired a median of solely three months out of ten months agreed upon.
“The Council maintained that a sustainable salary increase offers a more meaningful intervention to improve workers’ purchasing power and living standards,” it stated.
The NAC additionally acknowledged positions of a few of its public-sector associates – SSAUTHRIA, NUAHP and SSASCGOC – noting they’re in keeping with earlier place of Congress.
It careworn staff’ welfare can’t be superior by disregarding collective bargaining rights of affected unions or undermining their official illustration.
It reaffirmed TUC as a acknowledged commerce union centre with official mandate to characterize, defend and negotiate for members in step with ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and resolved to pursue constructive and result-oriented engagement with authorities in the direction of implementing resolutions of its October 8 assembly in Abuja.
The Council famous TUC is on path of long-term institutional renewal beneath management of Comrade (Engr.) Festus Osifo, acknowledging such journey isn’t with out distractions and resistance, however resolved to stay resolute and consolidate features by means of collective decision-making.
On accountability, TUC reaffirmed its accountability to National Executive Council (NEC), highest decision-making organ between Delegates’ Conferences, saying it has acted in accordance with NEC directives and Constitution.
It subsequently resolved leaders ought to refocus efforts on securing wage enhance by partaking stakeholders and refraining from public exchanges on matter, stressing Congress believes in purposeful, result-oriented management that delivers tangible advantages moderately than distractions or unsustainable interventions.
