The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has distanced the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from its recent negotiations with the Federal Government, saying the second-largest labour centre was not part of the October 22 discussions on workers’ grievances.
The clarification came after reports suggested that both labour organisations were involved in the meeting, which ended without a breakthrough and was rescheduled for October 27.
In a statement released on Friday, the NLC’s Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, explained that the participation of some union representatives at the meeting did not mean the TUC had joined the negotiations.
“The TUC was not part of the dialogue between the NLC and the Federal Government on October 22, 2026,” the congress said.
According to the NLC, officials from the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council attended the discussions. However, it maintained that their presence should not be taken as evidence of the TUC’s involvement.
The talks were convened following an October 8 ultimatum in which the NLC called on the government to address issues affecting workers amid rising economic pressures.
Among the congress’s demands are a reduction in petrol prices to levels recorded in 2024, renewed negotiations on the national minimum wage, the implementation of agreed tax relief measures and the settlement of outstanding welfare concerns involving public servants.
The negotiations failed to yield firm assurances on the demands. Upah attributed the outcome partly to the limited negotiating authority of the government representatives present.
“No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved,” he said after the meeting.
The government asked for more time to bring the relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies into the negotiations. The meeting was consequently postponed until October 27.
The NLC is also seeking compliance with the terms of settlement reached on February 5, 2026, concerning the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals.
Other unresolved issues include demands by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council for peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
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