morganable politics/Governance
In Kaduna State, the NLC Chairman, Ayuba Magaji, disclosed that the union was preparing to formally write Governor Uba Sani to commence negotiations on the allowance
KaNo —
State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress have intensified moves to pressure governors across the country to adopt the Federal Government’s N70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers amid rising transportation costs and economic hardship.
Labour leaders in Lagos, Kaduna, Benue, Kebbi, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo and Rivers states have indicated plans to engage their respective governments over the implementation of the relief package, with some demanding higher payments to reflect prevailing economic realities.
The Federal Government had approved a N70,000 monthly transport intervention for public service workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, following a conciliation meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday.
The intervention is aimed at cushioning the effects of rising living costs on workers, particularly transportation expenses.
However, state labour leaders are pushing for the extension of the initiative to workers under state governments, arguing that economic hardship affects employees across all tiers of government.
In Lagos State, the NLC Chairperson, Agnes Sesi, said workers were demanding N100,000 monthly, citing the high cost of transportation, accommodation, feeding and other essential services.
Sesi explained that the union would formally engage the Lagos State Government to negotiate the proposed allowance, insisting that workers in the state deserved an amount higher than the federal benchmark.
“If the NLC is asking for N70,000, it should cut across states. If the state government cannot do more, we do not expect them to do less because of Lagos peculiarity.
“In fact, we are even expecting the state government to increase ours to N100,000 because of our sacrifices and resilience. But if they cannot do more than the N70,000, we are not expecting anything less,” she said.
The labour leader maintained that the economic realities in Lagos justified the demand, noting that workers continued to struggle with increasing living expenses.
“Transportation is expensive in Lagos. Livelihoods are high, accommodation is high, and feeding is on the high side. Everything is on the high side in Lagos State,” she added.
She also urged the government to commence implementation promptly, warning against delays that could result in accumulated payment arrears.
In Kaduna State, the NLC Chairman, Ayuba Magaji, disclosed that the union was preparing to formally write Governor Uba Sani to commence negotiations on the allowance.
Magaji said the union would demand a minimum of N70,000 monthly, although it could negotiate a higher amount depending on the financial capacity of the state government.
According to him, the state council had received a circular from the national leadership directing labour unions to engage their respective governments on adopting the intervention.
“We have received a circular from the national headquarters of the Congress. As I am talking to you, my secretary and I are making arrangements, and immediately after this programme, he will write a letter to the government to intimate it about this and the need for us to commence discussions immediately,” he stated.
Similarly, the Benue State NLC Chairman, Terungwa Igbe, said workers would insist on receiving the N70,000 allowance, although the council was still awaiting official correspondence from its national secretariat.
Reacting, the Benue State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, said the government had not commenced specific discussions on the proposal.
He, however, indicated that Governor Hyacinth Alia remained supportive of initiatives designed to reduce the economic burden on residents.
In Bayelsa State, the NLC Chairman, Barnabas Simon, argued that workers in the state should benefit from the agreement reached between organised labour and the Federal Government.
Simon maintained that the economic challenges confronting workers were nationwide and should not be treated differently across states.
“Bayelsa State is not operating a different economy from other states. We are not living under a separate economic system. Whatever affects other states also affects Bayelsa. Therefore, Bayelsa should not be left out of the implementation of the resolution,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Kebbi State NLC has adopted a different approach, proposing an allowance ranging between N40,000 and N70,000 depending on workers’ categories and the financial capacity of the government.
The state NLC Chairman, Murtala Usman, disclosed that the union had commenced lobbying members of the state House of Assembly to secure legislative support ahead of negotiations.
Usman said he visited the assembly on Thursday to discuss the proposal with lawmakers and seek their cooperation.
“I have already commenced lobbying for it. I was at the state House of Assembly on Thursday to speak with some lawmakers on how they can support us when the discussion begins,” he stated.
In Ondo State, the NLC Chairman, Ademola Olopade, said the union would meet government representatives in the coming days to discuss implementation.
Olopade maintained that the state council would adhere to the agreement reached by the national leadership rather than pursue a separate arrangement.
“We can’t go contrary to what the national body has negotiated with the Federal Government,” he said.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, also indicated that the government would implement a transport relief package in line with the agreement between the Federal Government and organised labour.
In Edo State, the Chairman of the NLC caretaker committee, Prof Monday Igbafen, said discussions would commence with the state government on domesticating the N70,000 intervention.
He explained that industrial action would not be the immediate option unless negotiations failed or the government demonstrated unwillingness to cooperate.
Similarly, the Rivers State NLC Chairman, Alex Agwanwor, confirmed that the union had written to the state government requesting discussions on the allowance.
“For us in the state, we have already written to the state government on what has been agreed between the Federal Government during the meeting with our leaders,” he said.
However, the Trade Union Congress in Rivers State advocated a more sustainable approach, calling for an increase in workers’ wages rather than temporary financial relief.
The differing demands across states underscore the growing pressure on governors to respond to workers’ economic difficulties as organised labour seeks broader implementation of the federal transport intervention.
With the proposed payments expected to commence in November, attention is now shifting to state governments and their willingness to negotiate additional financial support for public sector employees.
