Labour Divided Over ₦70,000 Monthly Palliative as ₦500,000 Minimum Wage Demand Persists

Nigeria’s organised labour movement is divided over the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport support for workers, with some labour representatives welcoming the intervention while others insist that an immediate salary increase is necessary to address the rising cost of living.

The disagreement comes as organised labour maintains its demand for a ₦500,000 national minimum wage, arguing that the current statutory minimum of ₦70,000 has lost much of its purchasing power amid rising transportation, food, housing and other essential expenses.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the proposed transport palliative as an inadequate substitute for a direct salary increase. The congress also called for the implementation of outstanding agreements with workers, particularly in the health sector, where unresolved salary-related issues have remained a source of tension.

However, Gbenga Olowoyo, National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), welcomed the government’s agreement to provide the monthly transport support while reiterating labour’s ₦500,000 minimum wage demand.

Olowoyo said organised labour remained open to reasonable negotiations with the Federal Government but had not abandoned its proposed wage benchmark.

NLC President Joe Ajaero has called for negotiations on a new minimum wage to begin promptly, arguing that early discussions would allow sufficient time to reach an agreement before the next review.

The competing positions within the labour movement highlight the challenge of balancing immediate financial relief with demands for lasting improvements in workers’ earnings. While some representatives have welcomed the transport support, the TUC insists that temporary interventions cannot replace higher salaries and the fulfilment of outstanding agreements.

Nigeria’s labour movement is divided over the ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance as unions maintain demands for higher salaries and a ₦500,000 minimum wage.