The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have disagreed over the authority to negotiate workers’ wages and allowances on behalf of Nigerian workers.

The disagreement followed the Federal Government’s approval of a ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers across all levels for six months, beginning November 2026.

NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, defended the agreement, saying the congress initiated discussions with the Federal Government after issuing an ultimatum over workers’ welfare.

Ajaero explained that the government requested four days to deliberate on the demands, after which the transport intervention was agreed upon.

He maintained that the NLC could independently negotiate on behalf of workers based on the International Labour Organisation’s principle of majority representation, adding that the TUC could participate alongside the NLC but not negotiate independently for the wider workforce.

However, TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, rejected the arrangement, describing the agreement as an aberration.

Osifo said the TUC was excluded from the negotiations and challenged Ajaero to identify any provision of the International Labour Organisation that empowers one labour centre to negotiate on behalf of another.

He insisted that the TUC had the right to negotiate for its members, arguing that both labour centres should reach an understanding before engaging the Federal Government on issues affecting workers.

The TUC president also questioned the legitimacy of the negotiation process, saying the meeting was not a formal sitting of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council and could not be regarded as a consensus of workers’ representatives.

Ajaero, however, maintained that the NLC followed due process in its engagement with the government, stressing that wage negotiations require broader consultations among labour, government and employers when a negotiation committee is constituted.

The six-month transport intervention is aimed at cushioning workers against rising transportation costs, although the TUC maintains that a temporary allowance cannot replace a sustainable salary increase.