Organised labour unions across Nigeria have begun pressuring state governments to approve the Federal Government's proposed ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers.
The move follows an agreement between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to provide the allowance for six months, beginning in November 2026.
The agreement, reached on October 27, also encouraged state and local governments to adopt the intervention to ease the effects of rising living costs.
In Lagos, NLC Chairperson Agnes Sesi said workers were expecting at least ₦70,000, but hoped the state government would increase the amount to ₦100,000.
“If the NLC is asking for ₦70,000, it should cut across states.
"If the state government cannot do more, we do not expect them to do less because of Lagos peculiarity,” she said.
Sesi added that transportation, accommodation and feeding costs were high in Lagos, urging the government to implement the relief without delay.
In Kaduna, NLC Chairman Ayuba Magaji said the union would formally write to Governor Uba Sani to begin negotiations, with ₦70,000 as its starting demand.
However, the Kebbi State NLC is considering an allowance between ₦40,000 and ₦70,000, depending on the state's financial capacity.
In Rivers, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Samuel Ogan, questioned the sustainability of the six-month intervention.
“It’s a good gesture, but the TUC is saying the economic hardship is beyond the ₦70,000 or palliative,” he said.
Ogan called for a permanent salary increase instead.
Several other state labour chapters, including those in Ondo, Edo, Gombe and Niger, are also preparing to engage their governments.
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