By Our Correspondent

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has said, if the federal government is committed to the plight of workers, it does not need to wait for a new minimum wage agreement before increasing the salaries of workers.

TUC President Festus Osifo who stated this at a press briefing with newsmen after the congress’s National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting in Abuja, said government could independently review workers’ salaries in response to the prevailing economic realities.

Osifo further disclosed that the congress had commenced preparations for negotiations on a new minimum wage, saying the process should begin about six months before the expiration of the current wage agreement in August 2027.

He noted that, based on the experience of the last minimum wage negotiation, which took about three to four months, the government should constitute a committee around February 2027 to commence discussions.

Osifo said, this would give the parties enough time to conclude negotiations by May or June, ahead of the expiration of the current minimum wage.

The TUC boss explained that the minimum wage was only a wage floor and that government could decide to pay workers above the statutory minimum without waiting for a new minimum wage law.

He said workers in several sectors, including banking, food and beverages, and oil and gas, were already earning substantially above the minimum wage.

The TUC president also urged the government to address the welfare of its workers immediately, particularly those on the lower levels of the federal payroll.

On the lingering dispute with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), Osifo gave the Federal Ministry of Health a few days to resolve outstanding issues contained in the communique that led to the suspension of the union’s strike.

He said TUC would write the Minister of Health to draw his attention to the unresolved issues and was also engaging its sister labour centre on the matter. Osifo warned that the two labour centres would intervene if the issues were not resolved following the latest engagements with the ministry.

The TUC president also called for increased funding for the fight against insecurity, saying persistent kidnappings and killings had affected farming, investment and economic activities across the country.

He said the government must prioritise the protection of lives and property, noting that citizens needed to be alive and secure to enjoy the benefits of infrastructure and other government projects.

On the economy, Osifo said the naira remained undervalued and urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen the currency, arguing that a stronger naira would reduce pressure on fuel, food and other commodities with foreign exchange components.

He also called for the revival of the textile industry, citing high energy and production costs, layoffs and declining employment in the sector.

Osifo urged the Ministry of Labour to enforce decent working conditions across workplaces and tackle excessive casualisation, poor remuneration and unsafe working environments.

On the 2027 general elections, he called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the electoral process was transparent, open and credible.

“We have mentioned several times that allowances do not need a minimum wage conversation. And even salaries, government on its own can actually push the salaries of workers up, even without a minimum wage conversation.

“Minimum wage is minimum. Government can decide to pay whatever it wants to take care of its employees. Employers can decide to do way above what is there at the minimum threshold.

“So, if the committee can be inaugurated in February, we can start work, so that by the end of May or June, we could have a new minimum wage.

“Government does not even need to wait for a new minimum wage Act to be signed before government will take care of its workers.”

“We are going to send a letter to the Minister of Health, draw his attention to that communique once again. By the time we draw his attention, we wait for his response.

“But it is when those issues are not resolved, because in the communique, it is stated that the two labour centres are going to intervene should there not be conclusions before the end of April.”

Apparenyly eorried by the living condition of teachers in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District in the 2027 election, Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife, on Monday pledged to champion stronger legislative and policy measures to improve the welfare, professional development and working conditions of Nigerian teachers if she returns to the red chambers of the National Assembly.

She made the pledge in a goodwill message to Nigerian teachers on the occasion of 2026 World Teachers’ Day 2026.

Ekwunife described teachers as indispensable builders of the nation whose contributions underpin virtually every profession and sector of society.
According to her, the annual celebration should go beyond commendation and serve as a reminder of the urgent need for sustained investment in the teaching profession.

The former lawmaker said, “This year’s World Teachers’ Day is being celebrated under the theme, “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures.

“The theme provides an opportunity to celebrate teachers while also reflecting on the challenges confronting the profession and the need to strengthen their welfare, dignity and professional capacity.

“Teachers perform responsibilities far beyond classroom instruction. They nurture talents, build character, identify potential and prepare young Nigerians for responsible citizenship and leadership.

“Our teachers therefore deserve more than applause; they deserve deliberate and sustained policy support.”

While assuring teachers that, if elected to represent Anambra Central in the Senate in 2027, she would advocate legislative and policy measures aimed at strengthening the teaching profession and improving the quality of education across Nigeria, Ekwunife identified improved welfare and working conditions, continuous professional development and retraining as areas that require legislative attention.

She also listed investment in educational infrastructure, improved teacher recruitment and retention, stronger recognition and reward systems for outstanding teachers.

The ex banker also pledged to advocate greater support for teacher education and research, as well as increased participation of teachers and education professionals in the formulation of policies affecting the education sector.

Ekwunife particularly called for greater attention to teachers serving in underserved communities, where shortages of qualified teachers and inadequate learning facilities continue to hamper the delivery of quality education.

She added, “Nigeria cannot build a strong education system without a motivated, properly trained and adequately supported teaching workforce.

“Governments at all levels, educational institutions, parents, communities and the private sector should move beyond annual celebrations and make teachers’ welfare and professional advancement a continuous national priority.”

Ekwunife who commended Nigerian teachers for their resilience and dedication, particularly those who continue to serve despite difficult working conditions, further hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and supporting the financing of the programme through recovered proceeds of crime, describing the initiative as a significant intervention in expanding access to tertiary education.

According to her, the programme was creating opportunities for Nigerian students who might otherwise struggle to finance higher education to acquire knowledge and skills and contribute meaningfully to national development.

She added, “Such investments also give greater meaning to the work of teachers, whose knowledge, guidance and dedication continue to shape the students benefiting from educational opportunities.

“When we strengthen the teacher, we strengthen the classroom; when we strengthen the classroom, we strengthen the child; and when we strengthen the child, we strengthen the nation.

“To every Nigerian teacher: thank you for your service, your sacrifice and your unwavering belief in the Nigerian child,”

By George Mgbeleke

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, Tuesday welcomed Senators back from recess with a charge to keep faith with Nigeria amid insecurity, floods, hardship and the build-up to the 2027 general elections.

Delivering his welcome address titled *”KEEPING FAITH WITH NIGERIA”* on resumption of plenary on September 29, 2026, Akpabio said while the sittings of the Senate ceased on July 23, the life of Nigeria did not.

“When we adjourned on 23 July, the sittings of the Senate ceased for a season. The life of Nigeria did not. In our villages and towns, in our markets and on our farms, our people went on working, raising their children, pursuing their hopes and facing their fears,” Akpabio said.

“There, beyond these walls, the matches are played and the goals must be scored. This Chamber is our training ground.”

Akpabio said during the recess, families waited in anguish for loved ones taken by armed men in Marisa, at Dekera Mosque and elsewhere, while communities lived beneath the shadow of violence and floods swept away homes and labour.

He offered sympathy but said sympathy alone cannot discharge the Senate’s duty.

“To those who mourn, to those who wait and to those who have been driven from their homes, we offer our sympathy. But sympathy alone cannot discharge our duty. They are entitled to our attention, our resolve and the full force of our constitutional responsibility.”

“So long as a single Nigerian languishes in captivity, a part of Nigeria is held captive; and this Chamber cannot call itself free of the burden,” Akpabio declared.

He called on security agencies to pursue rescue of captives and protection of vulnerable communities with renewed vigour, pledging that the Senate will examine through legislation, appropriation and oversight what more must be done to end what he called “infernal assaults upon our people.”

“We cannot summon citizens to courage and then leave them to face danger alone. Their safety is a charge laid upon every institution of government, including this Senate,” he said.

On flooding, Akpabio warned that warning must lead to preparation, preparation to protection, and relief must reach those for whom it is intended.

“When a farmer loses a harvest, our country loses food it can ill afford to spare. When a family loses its home, the nation has a stake in helping that family rise again,” he said, thanking emergency responders and urging all levels of government to act in time.

On the economy, the Senate President said many Nigerians continue to bear heavy cost of living and the Senate must examine figures, forecasts and reforms with care, but never forget how economy is felt outside the chamber.

“They will judge our efforts by what changes in their lives. We must hear their concerns and answer with work that yields results,” he said, referencing the mother counting cost of a meal, the graduate searching for work and small business owners.

On politics, Akpabio noted that campaigns for the 2027 general elections have begun and parties have chosen candidates.

He called for vigorous, open contest devoid of violence and division.

“Let the candidates speak with conviction. Let the contest be vigorous; let it be open; and let every participant remember the country that must live together when the contest is over.”

“Those who seek office need not see eye to eye in order to walk hand in hand as Nigerians. We can contend without setting community against community, faith against faith or one part of our Republic against another.”

“We must reject violence and intimidation, and resist the falsehoods that travel swiftly and leave distrust in their wake. No electoral prize is worth a Nigerian life. No victory deserves celebration if it leaves the nation wounded.”

He said the Senate, comprising men and women of different parties, regions and convictions, must show the way by disagreeing with dignity and fulfilling duties throughout campaign season.

“The people sent us here to serve until the end of our mandate. There is work before us, and we shall remain at our posts in spite of the campaigns,” Akpabio said.

Also reflecting on Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1st, Akpabio said the nation will honour those who believed Nigeria could govern itself.

“We honour them most faithfully when we guard the freedom they helped secure and use it to enlarge the prospects of those who come after us. Patriotism requires clear eyes and a steadfast heart,” he said.

He charged Senators to return to duties with steady hands, work for safety of people, strength of institutions and better chance for every child of the Republic.

“Let us campaign with honour, debate with conviction and serve with humility. We have returned to this Chamber because Nigeria’s work continues. By God’s grace, we shall keep faith with her, and with the people who sent us here,” Akpabio said.