The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to reduce petrol prices and renegotiate the national minimum wage. The ultimatum was issued after a joint meeting of the NLC National Executive Council and Central Working Committee at Labour House, Abuja. The labour centre demands urgent action on petrol prices, minimum wage, and other measures to ease economic hardship. Failure to meet its demands could trigger further action by the labour movement.
The NLC stated that the current minimum wage has been eroded by naira depreciation and rising costs of food, housing, healthcare, transport, and education. The Congress wants the pump price of petrol cut to the level that prevailed when the current minimum wage was signed into law in 2024. This, according to the NLC, will cushion the impact of the wider energy crisis and prevent further deterioration in living standards.
The labour centre directed its affiliates and progressive allies to remain on high alert and prepared for "decisive efforts" against policies it considers detrimental to Nigerian workers and the wider population. The NLC's decision follows what it described as a worsening economic and survival crisis confronting workers and the broader Nigerian population. Inflation, naira depreciation, and rising living costs have severely eroded workers' purchasing power, leaving many unable to afford necessities.
The NLC also demanded tax relief for workers and the immediate payment of wage awards to cushion the impact of rising living costs. The labour centre called for the implementation of the terms of settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals on February 5, 2026. It further demanded the implementation of demands by the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rejected the Federal Government's proposed 30-day petrol discount, describing it as a temporary, election-driven measure that will not solve the cost-of-living crisis. Atiku accused the administration of offering Nigerians temporary relief after years of rising living costs. He alleged that the timing of the measure was politically motivated, particularly with the 2027 general election approaching.
The NLC's ultimatum commenced on Friday, October 9, 2026, and the labour centre warned that failure by the Federal Government to address its demands within the stipulated period would compel the labour movement to take "remedial steps". The Congress argued that measures to reduce the cost of petrol were necessary to cushion the impact of the wider energy crisis and prevent further deterioration in living standards.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has expressed concern over the deepening misery inflicted on the Nigerian working class and the broader masses by the neo-liberal policies of the federal government and its state institutions. The NLC emphasized that wages have been rendered increasingly worthless while the cost of living has become unbearable. The labour centre insisted that the new minimum wage must reflect the actual cost of living and guarantee Nigerian workers a decent standard of living.
Key points
- The NLC has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to reduce petrol prices and renegotiate the national minimum wage.
- The labour centre demands petrol price cut to the level that prevailed when the current minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.
- Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rejected the Federal Government's proposed 30-day petrol discount.
