NLC Gives FG 2-Week Ultimatum To Reduce Fuel Price, Renegotiate Minimum Wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the federal government a two-week ultimatum to reduce the price of petrol, begin renegotiation of the national minimum wage and implement outstanding agreements with workers.

The ultimatum, issued after a joint meeting of the NLC National Executive Council (NEC) and Central Working Committee (CWC) in Abuja on Wednesday, takes effect from Friday, October 9, 2026.

In a communique signed by the president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the labour centre demanded that the government reduce the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the level it was when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024, saying the measure was necessary to cushion the impact of the energy crisis on workers and other Nigerians.

The congress also demanded the immediate commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage before the end of October, arguing that the current wage had been eroded by the depreciation of the naira and rising cost of living.

It further demanded the implementation of the February 5, 2026 terms of settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU), as well as outstanding demands presented by the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC).

The NLC also called for the implementation of agreed tax relief measures for workers and the immediate payment of wage awards to cushion the impact of rising living costs.

The communique reads in parts, “Consequently, NEC-in-session demands that the federal government commences 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.”

“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 joint meeting issues a two-week ultimatum to the federal government, beginning from Friday, the 9th day of October, 2026 within which it is expected to, among other things:

Take measures to reduce the price of petrol across the nation to what it was at the signing of the current national minimum wage in 2024 to cushion the impact of the energy crisis on workers and masses as being done by other nations of the world.”

Failure of which the NLC will be compelled to take remedial steps as would be directed by the relevant organs.”

The demands came against the backdrop of what the labour leadership described as worsening economic hardship, with inflation, rising transportation and food costs and the depreciation of the naira continuing to erode workers’ purchasing power.

The congress said the high cost of petrol had produced a wider impact on the economy by driving up transportation costs and the prices of food and other essential commodities.

The NLC said the government had until the expiration of the two-week ultimatum to address the demands, warning that failure to do so would compel the union to take what it described as “remedial steps” as directed by its appropriate organs.

The labour centre urged its affiliates and progressive allies to remain on high alert and prepare for possible action, while reaffirming its opposition to policies it considers harmful to workers and the wider population.