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

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

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

He said the government requested four days for further discussions, after which the transport allowance was agreed.

Ajaero argued that the NLC could negotiate alone based on what he described as the International Labour Organisation’s principle of majority representation. He said the TUC could negotiate alongside the NLC, but not independently on behalf of the broader workforce.

TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, rejected the arrangement, describing the ₦70,000 agreement as an aberration.

He said the TUC was not carried along in the negotiations and challenged Ajaero to produce any ILO provision permitting one labour centre to negotiate for another.

Osifo maintained that the TUC has the right to negotiate for its members and said the proper approach was for both labour centres to agree before engaging the government.

Osifo also questioned the process through which the allowance was agreed, saying the meeting was not a proper sitting of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council. He argued that the absence of council members meant the outcome could not represent a consensus of worker representatives.

Ajaero, however, insisted that the NLC’s engagement with government followed a process and produced relief for workers. He said wage negotiations require wider consultation among labour, government and employers once a negotiation committee is properly constituted.

The six-month transport intervention is intended to cushion workers against rising transport costs, but the TUC has argued that a temporary allowance is not a substitute for a sustainable salary increase.