N70,000 Transport Allowance: Labour Moves To Commit State Governors As Lagos Workers Eye N100,000

According to a report by The Punch on Saturday, October 31, 2026, state chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have commenced moves to push state governors into adopting the Federal Government’s newly approved N70,000 monthly transport relief initiative for public service workers.

The federal intervention, designed to cushion the harsh impact of rising living costs, was recently approved for a six-month period beginning in November 2026 after a conciliation meeting with labour leaders.

Following the development, state chapters have swung into action, with varying targets and strategies to domesticate the package.

In Lagos State, the NLC Chairperson, Agnes Sesi, revealed that the union is setting its sights on a N100,000 monthly allowance.

Sesi argued that the exorbitant cost of transportation, accommodation, and general living expenses in Lagos justifies a higher package compared to the federal benchmark.

She warned the state government against dragging its feet or allowing payments to accumulate as arrears.

Meanwhile, other state chapters are mapping out their approaches. In Kaduna, the NLC Chairman, Ayuba Magaji, stated that the union will write to Governor Uba Sani to demand a starting benchmark of N70,000.

In Kebbi State, Chairman Murtala Usman disclosed that he has already begun lobbying members of the state House of Assembly to support a transport allowance ranging between N40,000 and N70,000.

Similar moves are underway in Benue, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo, Rivers, Gombe, and Niger states, where labour leaders are either engaging their respective state governments or awaiting formal guidelines from national headquarters.

However, mixed reactions trail the development in some quarters. In Rivers State, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) chairman, Samuel Ogan, opposed the temporary relief package, arguing that a six-month palliative is not sustainable and that the government should focus on a permanent wage increase instead.

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