The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding that it commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage and take immediate steps to reduce the price of petrol. The ultimatum, which takes effect from October 9, was issued at a joint meeting of the National Executive Council and Central Working Committee of the NLC held in Abuja.
The labour centre demanded that the Federal Government begin renegotiating the national minimum wage before the end of October, citing the continued depreciation of the naira and rising cost of living as reasons. The current national minimum wage has been rendered worthless, making it difficult for workers to afford basic necessities like food, shelter, healthcare, transportation, and education.
The NLC also demanded that petrol prices be reduced to the level prevailing when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024. The high cost of Premium Motor Spirit has triggered increases in transportation, food, and other essential commodities, worsening the hardship faced by workers and low-income households.
The Congress accused the government of allowing indiscriminate hikes in petroleum products and demanded that it work with relevant agencies to immediately bring down the pump price. The NLC also demanded the immediate implementation of tax relief for workers and the payment of wage awards to cushion the impact of the rising cost of living.
Beyond the wage and petrol price demands, the NLC directed the government to implement the terms of settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals on February 5, 2026. The labour centre also demanded the implementation of the demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council.
The NLC warned that failure by the government to meet the demands within the stipulated period would leave it with no option but to take remedial steps. The ultimatum follows growing concerns over the economic conditions confronting Nigerian workers and the wider population, which the NLC described as an existential crisis.
The Congress called on its affiliates and progressive allies to remain on high alert and prepare for decisive action against policies it considers inimical to workers and the masses. The latest ultimatum comes amid renewed pressure from organised labour for an urgent review of workers' earnings as the cost of living continues to erode the purchasing power of the current national minimum wage.
Key points
- The Nigeria Labour Congress has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage and reduce petrol prices.
- The current national minimum wage has been rendered worthless by the depreciation of the naira and rising cost of living.
- Failure to meet the demands within the stipulated period may trigger fresh industrial action.
