NLC's Ajaero slams TUC for rejecting ₦70k transport intervention workers never asked for
NLC President Joe Ajaero condemned TUC's rejection of the ₦70,000 transport intervention approved by the Federal Government for all workers for six months. Speaking on Channels TV's The Morning Brief Thursday, Ajaero said TUC withdrew from negotiations that produced the intervention and therefore has no right to reject what it never advocated for. "The agreement was not signed by the Trade Union Congress; you don't kick against something you did not negotiate," Ajaero stated.
The intervention, which doubles as the current national minimum wage, comes ahead of the next minimum wage negotiation scheduled for April 2027. Ajaero revealed TUC's president claimed minimum wage talks were due in August 2027—a position NLC rejected as contrary to law. NLC now stands alone on the transport intervention after years of pressure including strike threats.
For workers, this means ₦70,000 monthly transport relief is secured for six months regardless of TUC's position. However, the public split between Nigeria's two major labour centres weakens collective bargaining power ahead of the 2027 minimum wage review. TUC maintains it can still agitate for higher amounts independently.
With transport costs consuming up to 40% of minimum wage earners' income, will this intervention meaningfully ease your commute burden, or does the union division signal weaker representation when the actual minimum wage negotiation arrives in April 2027?