FG-NLC N70,000 Deal Sparks Questions Over Exclusion Of Informal Workers

Nigerians have reacted to the agreement reached between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress over a N70,000 transport palliative for six months commencing from November 2026.

The agreement was part of an eight-point resolution reached at a conciliation meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Tuesday, to avert a fresh industrial action.

The meeting was convened after the Joint meeting of the Central Working Committee and National Executive Council of the NLC issued a communique listing grievances over minimum wage discussion, reduction in petroleum pump price, palliatives and outstanding allowances.

According to the resolution, the transport intervention of N70,000 would be paid across all levels for six months.

The document was signed for the Federal Government by Tanimu Yakubu, Director-General Budget, and Dr. Garba Abdul S.U, Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, while Comrade Joe Ajaero, NLC President and Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga signed for Labour.

The development has however triggered reactions from Nigerians who took to the comment section of NewsNGR‘s post on the story to air their views.

Some Nigerians were concerned that the intervention appears to focus only on government workers while leaving out those in the informal sector.

Reacting in the comment section, Gilbert Nwangwu said, “What about the artisan workers and market women?”

Some Nigerians who commented on .. described the arrangement as unfair to those outside government employment who face the same economic hardship.

Busayo Olatunji argued that the NLC should advocate for all workers and citizens because fuel price hike affects everyone, yet only government workers would benefit despite private sector workers also paying taxes.

He wrote, “This NLC is to advocate for all workers and general citizens across Nigeria. This issue of fuel prices and hardship affects all. So why will it be government workers only that will benefit from this, while both government, private sector and others entity pay taxes. This is not fair on us that aren’t government workers, we buy the same prices of everything.”

Others asked for clarification on whether the palliative covers both federal and state workers or federal workers alone. Raising the concern under .., Nwakanma Iheanacho said, “Is it federal and state workers or only federal ones.”

There were also questions about why the amount was not added to the minimum wage to make it permanent rather than a temporary palliative. Speaking on that, Okeke Promise Richmond said, “Why not add the 70k to minimum wage?”

The duration of the intervention also drew questions, with some Nigerians asking what would happen after the six months elapse. Sani Muhammad commented, “After six-months what next???”

Other reactions under NewsNGR’s post were more critical, suggesting the timing of the agreement was politically motivated.

Dickson Obiuwoh said, “I suggest that presidential election should be happening every six months,” while Daniel Gyang Tok described the agreement as “Campaign strategy.”