The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown down the gauntlet, giving the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to slash petrol prices and kick off fresh minimum wage talks. The clock starts ticking on Friday, October 9, 2026. If the government fails to deliver, the labour movement is ready to escalate.
This is not just another threat. After a joint meeting of the National Executive Council and Central Working Committee at Labour House, Abuja, the NLC made it clear: workers are tired, prices are soaring, and patience is running out. The communiqué, signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, demands action, not promises.
What exactly is the NLC demanding?
The demands are straightforward but heavy. The NLC wants petrol prices rolled back to the level they were when the N70,000 minimum wage became law in 2024. They also want immediate renegotiation of a new minimum wage, implementation of the February 5, 2026 agreement with health workers, and action on public sector demands.
On top of that, the union is pushing for tax relief and wage awards to cushion the blow of rising living costs. The message is simple: Nigerian workers cannot survive on current earnings.
“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 NLC declared.
Why is the NLC pushing so hard now?
The economic reality is biting hard. Fuel prices have driven up transport costs, food prices, and everything in between. Workers are struggling to afford basic needs like shelter, healthcare, and education. The NLC argues that the N70,000 minimum wage, approved by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024, has been overtaken by inflation.
This ultimatum follows a three-day warning strike by public-sector workers earlier in October. The pressure has been building for months, and the NLC is now demanding concrete results before the end of October.
What is the government doing about fuel prices?
The Federal Government is not sitting idle. On Thursday, Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele announced plans to negotiate a ceiling of N1,350 per litre on the ex-gantry cost of petrol, with monthly reviews. There is also a 30-day discount on petrol from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, prioritising public transporters.
But the NLC is not impressed. They want petrol back to 2024 levels, not just a ceiling that might not even reflect at the pumps. The union insists that the current measures are not enough to ease the burden on workers.
What happens if the government ignores the ultimatum?
The NLC has warned that failure to respond within two weeks will force the union to take remedial steps. The communiqué is firm: affiliates and allies must remain on high alert and ready for decisive action against what they call “anti-people policies.”
This is not just about wages. It is about dignity, survival, and the right of Nigerian workers to live decent lives. The NLC is reaffirming its historical role in resisting exploitation and oppression.
Are there other labour tensions in the country?
Yes. In Abuja, the FCT Council of the NLC has already commenced an indefinite strike over disputes with the FCT Administration regarding teachers’ promotion policies. Workers across public and private establishments have been directed to withdraw their services.
The pressure is mounting on all fronts. The NLC is showing that it will not back down until workers get a fair deal.
What does this mean for the average Nigerian?
This is a fight for the everyday person. When fuel prices drop, transport costs drop, food prices drop, and life becomes a little more bearable. The NLC is standing up for the masses, and the message is clear: Nigerian workers must remain “resolute, organised, and uncompromising.”
The next two weeks will be critical. Will the government listen, or will the labour movement be forced to take to the streets? One thing is certain: the NLC is not backing down.