The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to reduce petrol prices and commence renegotiation of the national minimum wage. This was announced by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, after a joint meeting of the National Executive Council and Central Working Committee in Abuja. The meeting discussed the state of the nation, economic hardship, and the rising cost of living. The ultimatum begins from Friday, October 9, 2026.
Ajaero stated that the current national minimum wage has been eroded by the depreciation of the naira and rising cost of living, leaving workers unable to afford basic necessities. He demanded that the Federal Government commence renegotiation of the minimum wage before the end of October. Workers, he said, deserve a living wage that reflects prevailing economic realities. The NLC also called for an immediate reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
High petrol prices have driven up transportation fares and the cost of food and other essential goods, worsening the hardship facing Nigerians. Ajaero urged the Federal Government to reduce petrol prices to the level prevailing when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2019, but was amended to 2024 in the fact-checking process, and 2024. The NLC also demanded implementation of the Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) on February 5, 2026.
The NLC president also demanded implementation of the outstanding demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC) and agreed tax relief measures. He called for the immediate payment of wage awards to workers to cushion the impact of rising living costs. The government, he said, must provide relief to workers facing worsening economic pressure.
Ajaero urged workers and NLC affiliates to remain organised and prepared to respond if the Federal Government failed to meet the demands within the stipulated period. He reaffirmed the NLC’s commitment to defending workers’ interests, urging affiliates and progressive allies to remain on high alert. The NLC is determined to take remedial steps if the government fails to meet its demands.
The ultimatum is a result of the NLC's concern for the welfare of workers and the masses, who are facing existential threats due to economic hardship and rising living costs. The NLC is pushing for a new national minimum wage that reflects the current economic realities. The government is expected to take measures to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
The NLC's demands are aimed at addressing the economic hardship facing Nigerians, particularly workers. The government has two weeks to respond to the ultimatum, after which the NLC will take further action. The NLC's move is a bid to pressure the government to take urgent action to address the economic challenges facing the country.
Key points
- NLC gives FG two-week ultimatum to cut petrol price and renegotiate minimum wage
- Current national minimum wage eroded by depreciation of naira and rising cost of living
- NLC demands implementation of agreed terms and tax relief measures
