Adedokun Waliyu The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to reduce the price of petrol and begin the renegotiation of the national minimum wage, warning that failure to meet its demands could trigger further action by the labour movement.
The ultimatum was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the NLC National Executive Council (NEC) and Central Working Committee (CWC) at Labour House, Abuja.
In the communiqué signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC said the deadline would begin on Friday, October 9, 2026.
The Congress directed its affiliates and progressive allies to remain on high alert and prepared for what it described as “decisive efforts” against policies it considers detrimental to workers and the wider population.
The labour body said the decisions followed discussions on what it described as the worsening economic, political and survival crises confronting workers and Nigerians.
“The joint meeting-in-session notes with profound alarm 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 communiqué said.
It added that “inflation continues to soar unabated, the naira remains traumatised, wages have been rendered worthless, and the cost of living has become unbearable.”
Minimum Wage
On the national minimum wage, the NLC said the value of workers’ earnings had been significantly eroded by the depreciation of the naira and the rising cost of living.
“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,” the Congress said.
It added that Nigerian workers could no longer afford basic necessities including “food, shelter, healthcare, transportation, and education” on their current wages.
The NLC consequently demanded that the Federal Government begin renegotiation of the national minimum wage before the end of October.
“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,” it said.
Petrol Price
The Congress also renewed its demand for an immediate reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
“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 communiqué said.
According to the NLC, the high cost of petrol has had a “cascading effect” on transportation, food and other essential goods, worsening the hardship faced by workers and the wider population.
It called on the government to reduce the price of petrol nationwide to the level it was when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.
The Congress also demanded that the Federal Government grant tax relief to workers and immediately provide wage awards to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
“These measures are the bare minimum required to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers and restore a measure of dignity to their lives,” the NLC said.
Two-Week Ultimatum
The labour body said the government has two weeks from Friday, October 9, to act on its demands.
The NLC specifically demanded that the Federal Government:
- Take measures to reduce the price of petrol nationwide to its 2024 level when the current national minimum wage was signed.
- Commence the process of renegotiating a new national minimum wage.
- Implement the Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) on February 5, 2026, alongside other outstanding demands.
- Implement the demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC).
The Congress warned that failure to meet the demands within the stipulated period would compel it to take further action.
“Failure of which the NLC will be compelled to take remedial steps as would be directed by the relevant Organs,” the communiqué said.
The NLC also reaffirmed what it described as its “historical responsibility” to resist exploitation and oppression and urged its affiliates and allies to remain prepared to act against what it termed anti-people policies.
