The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have defended the Federal Government’s ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public servants, dismissing the Trade Union Congress’ (TUC) opposition to the agreement.
JNPSNC said the TUC’s rejection would not affect the implementation of the allowance, which is scheduled to run for six months from November 2026.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Trade Union Side, Olowoye Gbenga, the council said the agreement followed more than six hours of negotiations involving the Federal Government, NLC, JNPSNC and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The meeting, held on October 27, was presided over by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi.
JNPSNC acknowledged the TUC’s right to express its views on labour matters but argued that the congress was not part of the negotiations that produced the agreement.
“The rejection of any of the items by any trade union is inconsequential to the implementation of the agreement, especially the payment of
₦70,000 transportation allowance,” it said.
The council urged labour unions to prioritise workers’ welfare over disagreements surrounding the negotiations.
NLC President Joe Ajaero had also questioned the TUC’s opposition, saying his union negotiated independently with the Federal Government and that the TUC neither participated in nor signed the agreement.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Ajaero said the NLC had publicly clarified that it was acting alone after the TUC distanced itself from the negotiations.
“Why is TUC challenging what was gotten for the workers when we stated clearly that NLC was acting alone?” he asked.
Ajaero said he would have preferred the TUC to seek a higher allowance rather than reject the agreement, suggesting that both unions could have pushed for a common position during negotiations.
The TUC, however, maintains that the allowance is inadequate to address workers’ economic difficulties and has demanded an immediate salary increase instead of temporary relief.
In a statement by its President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the congress said the government should raise workers’ salaries and implement outstanding agreements, including commitments affecting health workers under JOHESU.
It also argued that the government could increase salaries without waiting for the next minimum wage negotiation, insisting that workers were demanding better pay and improved protection against the rising cost of living.
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