Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government’s N70,000 monthly transport allowance for public service workers, arguing that it offers only temporary relief amid Nigeria’s rising cost of living.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the allowance would buy only about 50 litres of petrol at an estimated price of N1,400 per litre.
The allowance, scheduled to begin in November 2026, followed an agreement between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to provide six months of financial support to public service workers.
Atiku argued that the economic hardship extended beyond transportation to include food, electricity, rent and other essential expenses. He also questioned why private-sector employees, traders, small-business owners and informal workers were excluded.
“If public service workers receive N70,000 monthly for transport from November, what happens to private sector workers, traders, small businesses, transport operators and millions without formal jobs?” he asked.
He urged the government to clarify eligibility criteria, publish payment schedules and resolve outstanding minimum wage negotiations.
Atiku also criticised the government’s compressed natural gas (CNG) initiative, saying it had failed to deliver the promised reduction in transport costs.
“These rushed announcements smack of political bribery and corruption,” he said.
He proposed a transparently managed production subsidy for petrol refined in Nigeria as an alternative, arguing that the government should tackle corruption and financial leakages rather than place the burden of its policies on citizens.
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) also rejected the proposed allowance on Wednesday, insisting that the government should increase workers’ salaries instead of relying on temporary financial support.
In a statement, TUC President Festus Osifo and Secretary-General Nuhu Toro described the intervention as inadequate to address workers’ growing financial difficulties.
