TUC Shuts Down Finance Ministry Over Unpaid Allowances In Fiery Protest

Members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria staged a protest on Monday at the Federal Ministry of Finance, effectively shutting down access to the building. Clad in red shirts, the demonstrators blocked the main entrance, halting all vehicular traffic into and out of the premises.

The protest, marked by chanting and placard-waving, was sparked by frustrations over unpaid allowance arrears and the prolonged withholding of internally generated revenue (IGR).

Addressing journalists, Patrick Solomon, Industrial Relations Officer of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) branch, condemned the Ministry’s inaction and lack of engagement.

“We’re here today to protest the blatant disregard for our concerns as a union and as workers,” Solomon said.

He explained that the union had made multiple attempts to resolve the issue through proper channels but was met with silence.

“Our internally generated revenue has been withheld for over 15 months without justification. Despite numerous efforts to engage the ministry, no one has responded meaningfully,” he added.

Solomon emphasized that the situation has severely impacted office operations and staff welfare. “It’s become nearly impossible to function effectively. Allowances remain unpaid, and after repeated engagements with the minister, it’s clear our concerns are being ignored,” he said.