The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has renewed its demand for a sustainable salary adjustment for Nigerian workers, arguing that temporary wage awards are inadequate to address the persistent decline in workers’ purchasing power.

The union’s position comes amid an ongoing disagreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over workers’ welfare and appropriate measures to cushion the effects of rising living costs.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of its National Administrative Council (NAC) on Wednesday, the TUC faulted the Federal Government’s handling of the 10-month wage award agreed with organised labour on October 2, 2023, before the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

According to the congress, workers received an average of just three months’ payment out of the 10 months initially agreed upon, leaving seven months of the promised intervention outstanding.

The union argued that a substantial salary increase would offer more enduring relief than another temporary wage award. It also maintained that the national minimum wage should serve as the statutory baseline for workers’ earnings rather than a limit on what employers can pay.

The TUC reaffirmed its earlier position contained in its October 21, 2026 statement, which called for greater attention to workers’ welfare and the strengthening of collective bargaining.

The congress also addressed concerns raised by three public-sector affiliate unions: the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC).

The three organisations reportedly distanced themselves from the statement released on October 30, saying they were neither involved in its preparation nor authorised anyone to represent their positions.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has announced plans to expand the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) into agricultural production, particularly for powering irrigation equipment and reducing farmers’ dependence on expensive diesel and petrol.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential CNG Initiative and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Ismaeel Ahmed, disclosed this during an Abuja roundtable themed Promise to Proof: The Renewed Hope Conversation, organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Progressive Strategy Roundtable.

Speaking during a session on affordable energy and transportation, Ahmed explained that the government was exploring ways to extend CNG adoption beyond the transport sector to support farming activities.

He said discussions with several state governments, particularly in northern Nigeria, had revealed growing interest among farmers in adopting CNG-powered irrigation pumps as a cheaper alternative to conventional fuel-powered equipment.

Ahmed cited Jigawa State as an example, noting that its governor had informed the initiative that more than two million farmers in the state could benefit from reduced energy costs through the proposed arrangement.

He further explained that mechanically operated irrigation pumps could cover approximately three hectares of farmland, compared with solar-powered alternatives, which typically serve about one hectare.

The proposed expansion is expected to make irrigation more affordable, improve access to energy for agricultural activities and potentially lower production costs for farmers.