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A new disagreement has emerged among leaders of Nigeria’s labour unions, with top officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) holding different views. The dispute is mainly about government support for workers, the sharing of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and who has the right to speak for Nigerian workers.
The Nigerian labour unions allowance rift has raised concerns that the unions may focus more on their internal disagreements instead of fighting for better wages, improved working conditions and other important issues affecting Nigerian workers.
The latest tension started after the Federal Government proposed a monthly transport allowance of ₦70,000 for public servants. The plan was meant to help workers deal with the rising cost of living and higher fuel prices.
Nigerian labour unions allowance rift
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by Joe Ajaero, took part in discussions with the government and supported the proposed allowance as immediate relief for workers. However, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) rejected the offer, saying it was not enough to address the economic challenges facing workers.
The disagreement later became personal when Ajaero criticised the TUC leadership. He accused TUC President Festus Osifo of being disconnected from ordinary workers, claiming that he travelled from the United States to attend important meetings instead of staying close to workers and their daily struggles.
Ajaero also questioned how the 90 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses allocated to the TUC by the Federal Government were being shared. He raised concerns about the process used to distribute the buses.
In response, Osifo said the NLC had no legal or constitutional right to speak for TUC members. He maintained that the two labour groups were separate organisations with different responsibilities.
The Nigerian labour unions allowance rift has also affected other labour unions, with some smaller unions supporting the TUC’s position while others continue to back the NLC’s approach of negotiating with the government
Labour experts warn that disagreements between the NLC and TUC could weaken their efforts to secure better conditions for workers. The TUC has rejected the ₦70,000 transport allowance, calling instead for higher salaries and wage reviews to help workers cope with the rising cost of living.
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