By Kingstons Magare 2.11.2026
Trade Union Congress of Nigeria president Festus Osifo and his Nigeria Labour Congress counterpart Joe Ajaero continue to disagree over the Federal Government’s offer of a N70,000 transport allowance for six months to Nigerian workers across board.
Osifo had argued that the N70,000 transport offer fell short of workers expectations of a wage increment and also the TUC was not part of the negotiations. On the other hand, Ajaero maintained that the N70k allowance was a better than nothing offer, while the FG and the unions negotiate a better pay for workers.
Speaking on Channels TV Monday Osifo said Ajaero’s position was an aberration as the TUC. He added that the labour movement in Nigeria has suffered lack of committed leadership.
“I really pity the Labour movement and the quality of leaders that have been inflicted upon the NLC.
“As I listened to Ajaero, I was wondering if it is the same NLC that produced the likes of Adams Oshiomole, Hassan Sumonu, Ayuba Wabba and so on.
“What we are saying is that you have about 60 affiliates while we have about 40. You cannot! You cannot negotiate for a body that is represented, for a body that has a trade union. You cannot negotiate for them on their behalf! It is not done anywhere!
“Yes, if we go to negotiations- I sit down, you sit down, and we agree”.
Ajaero questioned the commitment of Mr. Osifo whom he accused of not living in the country to face realities on ground.
“He is an absentee president of the TUC; he doesn’t live in Nigeria. He comes in from the United States to attend meetings and rush back,” Ajaero said.
“You can’t be living abroad and then hold a position in a central-level organization. I challenge him and the Nigerian Immigration Service to prove whether he has been in this country for four to five months this year,” Ajaero added.