NLC Gives Federal Govt 2-week Ultimatum To Cut Petrol Prices

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the federal government two weeks to reduce petrol prices, begin renegotiating the national minimum wage, and implement outstanding agreements with workers.

The ultimatum, which begins today, was issued at the end of a joint meeting of the NLC National Executive Council and Central Working Committee in Abuja.

The labour centre specifically demanded that petrol prices be reduced to the level prevailing when the current national minimum wage was signed in 2024, saying the high cost of fuel had intensified transportation costs and pushed up the prices of food and other essential commodities.

It also demanded that negotiations for a new national minimum wage begin before the end of October, arguing that the current wage had been eroded by the naira depreciation and rising living costs.

Other demands include immediate tax relief for workers, payment of wage awards, implementation of the 5 February 2026 settlement terms with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU), and implementation of the outstanding demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC).

The NLC said that the government’s failure to meet the demands within the two-week period would compel it to take what it described as “remedial steps” as directed by its relevant organs.

The labour centre said the worsening economic situation had left workers and the wider population struggling to meet basic needs, blaming inflation, naira depreciation and the rising cost of essential goods for the erosion of purchasing power.

It also accused the government of shifting the burden of its economic policies onto workers and other vulnerable Nigerians, insisting that workers must remain organised and prepared to resist policies it considers anti-worker and anti-people.

The communiqué signed by the NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, reads, “The joint meeting observes with grave concern that the current national minimum wage has been rendered worthless by the relentless depreciation of the naira and the astronomical rise in the cost of living.

Nigerian workers can no longer afford the basic necessities of life: food, shelter, healthcare, transportation, and education, on their current wages.”

It added, “Consequently, NEC-in-session demands that the federal government commence the renegotiation of the national minimum wage before the end of this month. The Congress demands a living wage that reflects the true cost of living and the dignity of the Nigerian worker. Any further delay by the federal government remains unacceptable.”

On the petrol price, the communiqué said, “The joint meeting reiterates its call on the federal government to work with relevant agencies to immediately reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. The exorbitant pump price of petrol has had a cascading effect on the cost of transportation, food, and other essential goods, further deepening the hardship of workers and the masses.”

The NLC declared: “NEC-in-session reaffirms the historical responsibility of the NLC to resist all forms of exploitation and oppression. It calls on all affiliates and progressive allies to remain on high alert and fully prepared to engage in decisive efforts against all anti-people policies.

The congress reiterates that the Nigerian working people must remain resolute, organised, and uncompromising in the collective struggle for a fair and equitable Nigeria.”