N70,000 Transport Allowance: Ajaero Insists NLC Can Negotiate Alone With Govt. Without Involving TUC

By Ayodele Oni 

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has maintained that it is not in any labour law to involve the Trade Union Congress, TUC in any negotiation with government.

Ajaero pointed out that the NLC could negotiate independently, citing the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) principle of representation by the most representative workers’ organisations.

He defended the NLC decision to negotiate independently with the Federal Government over the proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance, dismissing the suggestion that the TUC must participate in the negotiations.

Ajaero was speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday.

He argued that while the TUC could participate alongside the NLC, it could not independently negotiate on behalf of the broader organised labour movement. 

He also cited Nigeria’s constitutional provisions on freedom of association and the voluntary membership of trade unions.

Ajaero’s comments follow the disagreement between both labour centres over the Federal Government’s approval of a ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention for workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026.

The TUC, led by Festus Osifo, rejected the temporary intervention, arguing that workers needed an immediate salary increase rather than a short-term allowance. 

It also called for the implementation of outstanding labour agreements, particularly those affecting health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

The disagreement highlights growing differences in the negotiating strategies of Nigeria’s two major labour centres. 

While the NLC considers the transport intervention a negotiated achievement, the TUC insists that more substantial and sustainable improvements in workers’ remuneration are necessary.