NLC, TUC Clash Deepens as Ajaero Accuses Osifo of Being an Absentee President
The disagreement between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the Federal Government's ₦70,000 transport allowance for workers has intensified, with the two labour leaders exchanging criticisms over workers' welfare and their respective negotiating powers.
The latest development followed separate appearances by NLC President Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo, on Channels Television's The Morning Brief, where they defended their positions on the government's six-month transport intervention.
The Federal Government had approved a monthly transport allowance of ₦70,000 for public sector workers across different levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, following a meeting with the NLC leadership.
However, the TUC rejected the arrangement, arguing that temporary financial assistance would not provide lasting relief for workers struggling with rising living costs.
The congress instead called for an immediate salary increase, proposing that the Federal Government raise the pay of the lowest-paid workers to ₦300,000, alongside appropriate adjustments for other salary grades.
Ajaero Defends ₦70,000 Agreement
Speaking on Channels Television, Ajaero maintained that the NLC had the authority to negotiate independently with the Federal Government, arguing that the union's wider membership and representation within organised labour gave it the standing to engage government authorities.
He insisted that the TUC could participate in negotiations alongside the NLC but could not negotiate independently on behalf of organised labour.
According to Ajaero, the NLC secured the transport allowance after issuing an ultimatum to the government and subsequently engaging officials in discussions.
He also argued that demands for a new minimum wage could not be formally presented without the establishment of a negotiation committee involving labour representatives, government and employers.
Osifo Rejects Ajaero's Position
Responding during his appearance on the same Channels Television programme on Monday, Osifo faulted Ajaero's position, insisting that the NLC could not negotiate on behalf of the TUC without its involvement or consultation.
The TUC president described the agreement on the ₦70,000 transport allowance as an aberration, saying his organisation was not carried along during the negotiations.
Osifo argued that both labour centres had their respective affiliated unions and should participate in negotiations affecting their members.
He challenged Ajaero to identify any International Labour Organisation (ILO) regulation that authorised one labour centre to negotiate on behalf of another without consultation.
He further questioned the process through which the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JNC) was involved in determining salary adjustments, alleging that the previous arrangement had contributed to poor earnings among federal workers.
Osifo maintained that discussions on workers' welfare should involve proper representation and collective agreement rather than decisions taken by one labour organisation.
Ajaero Calls Osifo an Absentee TUC President
Beyond the disagreement over the transport allowance, Ajaero launched a personal criticism against Osifo, questioning his commitment to leading Nigerian workers.
The NLC president alleged that Osifo resides in the United States and only travels to Nigeria to attend official meetings before returning abroad.
"He is an absentee president of TUC. He doesn't live in Nigeria. He comes in from the United States to attend meetings and rush back," Ajaero alleged.
He questioned how Osifo could effectively represent Nigerian workers while allegedly living outside the country and being disconnected from the economic difficulties they experience.
Ajaero also argued that workers dealing with high fuel prices, house rents, school fees and rising food costs needed leaders who understood their daily challenges.
The allegation has added another dimension to the disagreement between the two labour organisations, which had already been divided over the Federal Government's transport intervention.
TUC Insists on Permanent Salary Increase
The TUC has maintained that a temporary transport allowance cannot replace a permanent improvement in workers' earnings.
In its earlier response to the government's proposal, the congress argued that salary increases would provide more sustainable relief than short-term financial interventions.
The organisation also raised concerns about the implementation of previous wage awards, claiming that some workers were not paid their full entitlements.
It further urged the Federal Government to address outstanding agreements affecting workers, including commitments involving health sector unions.
The disagreement between the NLC and TUC has exposed differences in their approaches to negotiating workers' welfare, particularly as organised labour continues to demand measures to address the rising cost of living.
With the ₦70,000 transport allowance scheduled to commence in November, attention is now focused on whether both labour organisations can resolve their differences and present a coordinated position on the economic challenges facing Nigerian workers.