The Nigeria Union of Railwaymen (NUR) has urged the Federal Government to urgently implement the 95 per cent salary enhancement it approved for them in 2022.
The President of NUR, Comrade Innocent Ajiji, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that the delay in the implementation had become the workers’ major source of frustration.
He said railway workers were among the country’s most hardworking public servants and operated in hazardous conditions.
“Our members work day and night, in the rain and under the scorching sun, including weekends and public holidays, yet they earn the same salary as workers in ministries who operate under far more convenient conditions.
“The railway job is unique because of its hazards and peculiarity. It deserves a remuneration structure that reflects those realities,” he said.
Ajiji recalled that the union engaged a former Minister of Transport, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, and demanded an enhanced salary structure, improved conditions of service, payment of overtime and other allowances.
According to him, the discussions failed to produce the desired outcome, prompting the union to embark on a three-day warning strike.
“On the second day of the strike, we were invited to Abuja where our grievances were discussed.
“In January 2022, we received the good news that the President approved 95 per cent salary enhancement for railway workers.
“Sadly, that approval has yet to be implemented.”
He said the delay had killed the workers’ morale.
Ajiji also decried poor welfare package for NUR members.
He said that many train crews had no decent rest houses, while overtime, hazard, weekend and public holiday allowances remained unpaid in spite of the nature of their work.
He said railway workers also lacked adequate healthcare facilities and continued to perform maintenance duties with obsolete equipment.
“Most times, our workers use bare hands to do jobs machines should ordinarily handle because we lack modern maintenance equipment and spare parts.”
The NUR president urged the Federal Government to implement the approved salary enhancement and improve NUR members’ welfare package.
He said that better conditions of service would enhance productivity, safety and efficiency in the nation’s railway system.
He also called for increased investment in railway workshops, locomotives, coaches and maintenance equipment to improve service delivery.
United Capital forecasts marginal rise in June inflation to 15.95%
Food inflation
By Mercy Omoike
Lagos, July 2, 2026 (NAN) The Research Department of United Capital Plc has projected a marginal increase in Nigeria’s headline inflation rate to 15.95 per cent in June 2026, from 15.93 per cent recorded in May.
The projection is contained in the company’s June research report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
According to the report, the expected increase is largely driven by rising prices of some food items, particularly tomatoes, although the impact was moderated by lower prices of Premium Motor Spirit.
It said the survey recorded mixed movements in food prices in June compared with May.
“Logistics costs dropped as easing geopolitical tensions drove down global crude oil prices. Meanwhile, the price of tomatoes increased significantly.
“Since tomatoes form a major component of cooking in the average Nigerian household and most restaurants, the increase usually exerts upward pressure on consumer expenditure and, consequently, inflation.
“The rise in tomato prices in June was mainly due to reduced supply, as the dry season harvest has ended and the rainy season is now in full swing,” the report stated.
The report also noted that yam prices increased by eight per cent in June compared with May, while the prices of rice and beans declined.
According to the report, rice prices fell marginally as both local and imported varieties recorded slight price reductions, while beans prices declined by five per cent.
It stated that if the projection materialises, it would mark the fourth consecutive monthly increase in the country’s inflation rate ahead of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) scheduled for July 20 and July 21.
The report, however, questioned whether the MPC would respond with further monetary policy tightening.
It attributed the moderation in inflationary pressures to lower fuel prices, supported by easing geopolitical tensions that reduced crude oil prices.
According to the report, the average price of Bonny Light crude declined by 21.81 per cent to 87.70 dollars per barrel in June from 112.16 dollars per barrel in May.
Similarly, the average pump price of PMS fell by five per cent to N1,249 per litre in June from N1,312 per litre in May.
The United Capital projected that inflation would remain within the 15 per cent range between July and October, with gradual moderation expected as the harvest season improves food supply.
“Recent increases in tomato and yam prices largely reflect seasonal supply constraints associated with the onset of the rainy season.
“As harvest activities improve food supply, inflationary pressures are expected to ease, making June 2026 a likely seasonal peak rather than the beginning of a sustained upward trend,” the report stated.
The research firm advised the MPC to retain current policy rates at its July meeting.
It said the CBN was more likely to continue managing liquidity through Open Market Operations than implement another rate hike.
The report added that fixed-income yields were expected to remain broadly stable in the short to medium term, barring major inflation or policy surprises.
It also said the recent correction in the equities market had created opportunities for a rebound as investors reposition ahead of the release of half-year corporate earnings.
On the foreign exchange market, the report said the naira appreciated marginally by 0.2 per cent on a monthly average basis, with the average exchange rate improving from N1,370 per dollar in May to N1,367 per dollar in June.
However, it noted that the currency weakened slightly at the official closing rate, depreciating to N1,380 per dollar in June from N1,373 per dollar in May.
