The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given President Bola Tinubu’s administration a 14-day ultimatum to reduce petrol prices and begin renegotiating the national minimum wage, warning that failure to meet its demands could lead to further action by organised labour.
Newsonspot gathered that the ultimatum was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) and Central Working Committee (CWC) at Labour House, Abuja.
Signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the communiqué stated that the deadline would commence on Friday, October 9, 2026.
The Congress also directed its affiliate unions and progressive allies to remain on high alert and prepare for what it described as decisive action against government policies considered harmful to workers and the general population.
According to the NLC, the decision followed deliberations on the worsening economic situation and the increasing hardship faced by Nigerian workers and citizens.
The labour union blamed the situation on rising inflation, the depreciation of the naira, declining purchasing power and the increasing cost of living.
It warned that workers’ earnings had lost significant value, making it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to afford basic necessities such as food, shelter, healthcare, transportation and education.
On the national minimum wage, the Congress insisted that the current wage was no longer sufficient to meet workers’ needs due to the rising prices of essential goods and services.
It consequently demanded that the Federal Government commence renegotiation of the minimum wage before the end of October 2026.
The NLC stressed that Nigerian workers deserved a living wage that reflected prevailing economic realities and the cost of maintaining a decent standard of living.
NLC Demands Petrol Price Reduction, Payment of Wage Awards
Beyond the minimum wage, the Congress demanded an immediate reduction in petrol prices, arguing that the high cost of the commodity had contributed significantly to rising transportation fares, food prices and the cost of other essential goods.
The union maintained that urgent government intervention was necessary to ease the economic pressure on workers and other Nigerians.
Ajaero also called for the implementation of the terms of settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) on February 5, 2026.
He further demanded the implementation of outstanding agreements involving the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC), alongside the delivery of previously agreed tax relief measures.
The NLC president also called for the immediate payment of outstanding wage awards to workers, saying the payments would provide some relief amid the rising cost of living.
The Congress urged its affiliate unions and progressive allies to remain organised and prepared to respond if the Federal Government failed to address its demands within the stipulated 14-day period.
Ultimatum Follows Public Sector Warning Strike
The latest development comes after the conclusion of a three-day warning strike by public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC).
The strike was embarked upon over the Federal Government’s failure to reduce petrol prices to ₦500 per litre and commence fresh negotiations on the national minimum wage.
The industrial action formed part of growing pressure on the government to address workers’ concerns over the rising cost of living and the declining value of their earnings.
President Tinubu signed the current ₦70,000 national minimum wage into law on July 29, 2024.
At the time, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) sold petrol at ₦580 per litre at its retail stations, while the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a national average petrol price of ₦770.54 per litre.
FG Considers Petrol Price Ceiling
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has indicated that it is negotiating a price ceiling of ₦1,350 per litre for petrol at the ex-gantry or landing-cost level.
The Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this on Thursday during a press conference on petrol subsidy in Abuja.
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According to Oyedele, the proposal is intended to help stabilise petrol pump prices.
However, with the NLC demanding an immediate reduction in petrol prices and fresh minimum wage negotiations before the end of October, the coming weeks could prove crucial in determining the government’s response to organised labour’s demands.
The Congress has maintained that failure to meet its demands within the 14-day deadline could trigger further action.
