Workers Warn Against Further Delays As FG, Labour Wage Talks Resume Tuesday

Nigerian workers on Friday warned the federal government against further delays in addressing their grievances, insisting on a nationwide strike if negotiations scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, fail to produce concrete results.

The warning followed Thursday’s meeting between government representatives and labour leaders in Abuja, which ended without a resolution after key officials responsible for approving and implementing the demands were absent.

The National Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and all their affiliates are now preparing to mobilise workers across the states, local government areas and the Federal Capital Territory for possible industrial action, with the next meeting regarded as a critical test of the government’s willingness to address the dispute.

In a progress report obtained by LEADERSHIP on Friday labour had insisted that senior government officials with the authority to make binding decisions must attend Tuesday’s meeting.

In the report, the organise labour want the next meeting to include the minister of finance , accountant-general of the federation , director-general of the budget office and chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja and is expected to commence by 12.00pm.

The NLC’s Demands:

Petrol Price Reduction: The government should take measures to reduce petrol prices nationwide to the levels prevailing when the current N70,000 minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.

Minimum Wage Renegotiation

The government should commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage, including steps towards establishing a tripartite negotiating committee.

Tax Relief

Implement agreed tax relief measures to ease the financial burden on workers.

Wage Awards

Immediately address outstanding wage award payments and related entitlements.

JOHESU Agreement

Implement the terms of settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals on February 5, 2026.

The Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council(JNPSNC) also demanded resolution of outstanding issues, including peculiar allowances and hazard allowances.

LEADERSHIP reported that the congress had issued a two-week ultimatum to the federal government beginning October 9, warning that failure to address the issues could lead to industrial action.

The ultimatum expired on October 22 without a breakthrough, prompting labour to set October 27 as the fresh deadline for meaningful progress.

Timeline Of The Current Labour-FG Impasse

October 7–9: The NLC’s National Executive Council and Central Working Committee considered the economic hardship facing workers and issued a two-week ultimatum beginning October 9. Its demands included petrol price reductions, minimum wage renegotiation and implementation of outstanding agreements.

October 12–16:The disagreement over minimum wage negotiations intensified. The government maintained that the current wage was due for review in June 2027, while the NLC argued that preparations for negotiations should begin immediately.

October 22: The ultimatum expired as talks between government representatives and organised labour ended without agreement. Labour extended its deadline to October 27 and directed affiliates to begin mobilisation for possible nationwide action.

October 27: Both sides are scheduled to reconvene at noon at the ministry of labour and employment conference hall in Abuja, with labour demanding the physical attendance of senior government officials empowered to make decisions.

Public Servants Warn Against Further Delays

Speaking with LEADERSHIP on Friday, the national secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Olowoyo Gbenga said the unions were working together to ensure that the outstanding issues were addressed, adding that the next meeting would determine whether the dispute escalated into industrial action.

He said, “The JNPSNC is part of the meeting because we are equally affiliated to TUC, so the two bodies are equal, we are all working together.

“In fact, we are mobilising workers that any time after the meeting of October 27th, if the meeting does not bring results, then, immediately, we start.

“I think the very best thing is to look into our demands and address it squarely and take proactive decisions so as to have right things done to our members and workers and their dependents so as to get relief out of this hardship.”

The organised labour has maintained that they remain open to dialogue but warned that their respective organs would determine the next course of action if Tuesday’s meeting failed to produce meaningful progress.

Photo: Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi (centre) in a meeting with labour leaders in Abuja on Thursday, 22, 2026.