The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded an immediate reduction in petrol prices, a nationwide wage award, and the prompt commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage. The union warned that escalating living costs have severely eroded the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.
In an Independence Day statement titled ‘Our Hope Depends on the Choices We Make and the Actions We Take’, Joe Ajaero NLC President stated on Wednesday that these measures are essential as citizens continue to grapple with surging transportation, food, rent, and education expenses.
The union directly attributed the cost-of-living crisis to the steep rise in fuel prices following the removal of the petrol subsidy in 2023. Ajaero noted that petrol now sells at N1,430 per litre or higher in major cities, and at significantly elevated rates in remote regions. This surge in fuel costs continues to drive up general living expenses while nominal wages remain stagnant.
The NLC urged the Federal Government to address the direct transmission of fuel costs to transport and broader economic sectors, warning that failure to break this inflationary chain would render any relief efforts futile.
The union also requested the immediate implementation of a nationwide wage award for federal, state, and local government employees. Describing the measure as a critical intervention against declining real incomes rather than a gesture of charity, the NLC highlighted the Federal Government’s failure to fully deliver on past commitments.
This demand stems from the October 2023 agreement between the Federal Government and organised labour, which outlined a N35,000 monthly wage award for federal workers and recommended similar relief at state and local levels.
The NLC further criticised the government for failing to fully implement the tax relief measures agreed upon in the October 2023 Memorandum of Understanding. It called for the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to formulate and pass legislation for a new wage standard for 2027 before the end of the year.
Although President Bola Tinubu approved the current N70,000 national minimum wage in July 2024 with a provision for a three-year review cycle, the union argued that inflation had already undermined the value of the wage prior to its implementation.
In addition to wage demands, the NLC called for reduced governance costs, enhanced transparency in public spending, and expanded investment in roads, healthcare, and education. Ajaero stated that official extravagance remains unacceptable while workers are asked to endure financial austerity.
The union raised concerns regarding the allocation of funds saved from the petrol subsidy removal. Despite initial promises that the policy would free up resources for infrastructure and social services, the NLC noted that fuel prices have multiplied while public infrastructure remains deficient.
The October 2023 agreement specified that subsidy-related savings would support wage adjustments, tax incentives, compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, and other cushioning interventions.
The NLC also criticised Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported refined petroleum products despite being Africa’s largest oil producer, calling for urgent investment to boost domestic refining capacity alongside broader social welfare improvements.
Addressing social stability, the NLC highlighted youth unemployment and forced migration, urging the government to create tangible economic opportunities to discourage perilous journeys across the Sahara and the Mediterranean.
The union also linked widespread insecurity to economic decline, noting that persistent violence continues to disrupt agriculture, education, and healthcare. It emphasised that poverty, unemployment, and insecurity are interconnected challenges requiring equitable resource distribution.
Looking toward the 2027 general elections, the NLC cautioned against voter intimidation and divisive political rhetoric. The union announced it will utilise its Workers’ Charter to evaluate political candidates and policies, asserting that organised labour will not be treated as a disposable electoral tool.