If you’re earning N70k in Nigeria today, what can it actually buy you? The TUC says, not nearly enough, and they’ve just told the Federal Government to scrap that figure entirely.

The Trade Union Congress has flat-out rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 wage award, calling it temporary, inadequate and frankly, out of touch.

Instead, they’re demanding a proper pay rise, pushing for the lowest-paid federal worker to earn up to N300,000.

In a press statement today, Wednesday, 28th October 2026, the TUC argued the government doesn’t even need a whole new minimum wage negotiation to do this. There’s no law that says there’s a maximum wage. And look — some states are already paying over N100,000 as minimum wage, so why can’t the Federal Government do more?

Let’s add some context.

This isn’t the first time. Remember, after fuel subsidy was removed in 2023, inflation shot through the roof. We’ve been hovering around 30% inflation, food prices have more than doubled, and that N30,000 minimum wage from 2019? It became worthless. Even the N70,000 minimum wage signed into law in 2024 is barely keeping up.

We’re talking about a cleaner, a messenger, a junior clerk in Abuja who spends almost all of N70k just on transport and food before the month is halfway. A temporary ‘award’ doesn’t pay rent. It doesn’t pay school fees.

Why does the TUC not trust this N70k award?

History. The TUC says the government didn’t even fully implement the wage award agreed on 2nd October 2023. Some workers never got it. So they’re asking, why should we believe this one?

They want three things, and they want it in black and white: a real salary increase, a clear timetable, and money actually budgeted for it.

They’re also fighting for health workers. The TUC is demanding immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment for JOHESU members, that agreement was reached seven months ago and nothing has happened since they suspended their strike.

Wage Award vs Salary Increase?

A wage award is like a bonus, a temporary top-up that can be stopped anytime. A salary increase is permanent, pensionable, and affects all grade levels. That’s what the TUC wants.

This matters because it affects over a million federal workers and sets the tone for the entire labour market. If the FG pays N300k, private sector and states will feel the pressure.

The TUC says it’s waiting for the outcome of its meeting with the Federal Government this week before deciding its next move. That could mean negotiation, or it could mean another showdown and possible strike.

For now, that N300k figure is a demand, not a done deal. But it tells you just how far the cost-of-living crisis has pushed Nigerian workers.

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