The Nigeria Labour Congress has called on the Federal Government to urgently reduce the price of petrol, introduce a nationwide wage award and begin discussions on a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The labour union made the demands as Nigeria marked its 66th Independence anniversary, warning that rising fuel prices, transportation costs and inflation had continued to weaken the purchasing power of workers and other citizens.
Politics Nigeria gathered that the demands were contained in an Independence Day statement signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, titled, “Our Hope Depends on the Choices We Make and the Actions We Take.”
The NLC said the country was facing serious economic pressure, with the cost of basic necessities continuing to rise while the value of workers’ salaries has fallen.
According to the union, petrol prices had reached about N1,430 per litre or higher in major cities, with consumers in remote areas paying even more.
“Petrol now sells at N1,430 per litre or higher in major cities and far more in remote areas. The surge in transportation costs drives up the prices of food, school fees, rent, and nearly every necessity of life, while nominal wages remain stagnant,” the NLC said.
The labour centre said the situation had created a difficult environment for workers whose earnings were already struggling to meet household needs.
It argued that an increase in petrol prices does not affect motorists alone.
According to the union, higher fuel costs are transferred through transportation and logistics, eventually affecting food prices, rent, education, healthcare and other essential services.
The NLC therefore demanded that the Federal Government take immediate steps to bring down the price of petrol.
“Without cutting this chain, any effort to ease the suffering of the people is futile,” it said.
The union also asked the government to introduce a nationwide wage award for workers across the federal, state and local government levels.
It said such an intervention was necessary because the purchasing power of workers had been severely weakened by inflation.
“A wage award is not charity. It is an emergency intervention against the collapse of real income,” the NLC said.
The NLC accused the government of failing to fully implement some of the commitments contained in the October 2023 agreement.
It particularly demanded the implementation of tax relief measures agreed during the discussions, saying workers should not continue to bear the full weight of the economic adjustments.
The union also wants negotiations for another national minimum wage to begin immediately.
It called for the establishment of a tripartite committee comprising government, labour and employers to work on a new wage standard for 2027.
“We demand the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to ensure that a new wage standard for 2027 is formulated and legislated before the year runs out,” the NLC said.
The union argued that the current N70,000 minimum wage had already lost significant purchasing power because of inflation.
“The current N70,000 minimum wage was already destroyed by inflation before it was implemented,” it said.
President Bola Tinubu approved the N70,000 minimum wage in July 2024 after negotiations involving the Federal Government, labour and other stakeholders.
At the time, the President agreed that the wage should be reviewed after three years.
The union also called for a reduction in the cost of governance.
It demanded greater transparency in the management of public funds and said government spending should reflect the economic difficulties faced by ordinary Nigerians.
“When workers are asked to tighten their belts, the extravagance and waste of the governing class are unacceptable. Government must lead by example,” it said.
The NLC further questioned what it described as the failure to convert savings from petrol subsidy removal into visible improvements in infrastructure and social services.
“Government claimed subsidy removal would free up resources for infrastructure and social services. Three years later, petrol prices have multiplied several times over, yet the promised infrastructure and social services remain mirages. Where exactly did the subsidy savings go?” the union asked.
The union’s criticism comes at a time when petrol prices have continued to place pressure on household budgets.
Earlier in September, the NLC had also called for emergency measures to cushion workers from the effects of rising petrol prices.
At the time, it demanded wage awards and urged the government to make crude oil available to domestic refineries in naira.
The labour centre has also repeatedly raised concerns about Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products despite being a major crude oil-producing country.
In its Independence Day statement, it called for greater investment in domestic refining capacity.
It said, “Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, depends on imported refined petroleum, while domestic refining capacity has been systematically neglected, except the efforts of a few private refineries.”
The NLC said stronger domestic refining would help reduce Nigeria’s exposure to international oil-market shocks and could also support employment and economic activity.
The union also turned its attention to public services.
It demanded improved roads, functional hospitals, affordable education and stronger social protection programmes, saying Nigerians should see tangible benefits from public spending.
The labour body also expressed concern over the growing number of young Nigerians seeking opportunities outside the country.
It urged the government to create jobs and other economic opportunities that would make young people more willing to build their future in Nigeria.
“The government must create genuine opportunities so that young people can see hope instead of being preached to about hope,” it said.
The NLC also linked insecurity with the country’s economic challenges.
It argued that violence has disrupted farming, education, healthcare and other productive activities in several parts of the country.
According to the union, poverty, unemployment, inequality and insecurity cannot be treated as completely separate problems because they continue to affect one another.
The labour centre therefore called for policies that would expand access to economic opportunities while improving security across the country.
The statement also touched on the 2027 general elections.
The NLC said workers must be allowed to make their political decisions independently and warned against voter intimidation, electoral manipulation and the use of ethnic or religious rhetoric.
It said its proposed Workers’ Charter would be used at the appropriate time to outline its position on policies and political candidates.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress will, at the appropriate time, use our Workers’ Charter to make it clear which policies and candidates deserve the support of the working class,” Ajaero said.
He added that labour would not allow workers to be treated merely as instruments for electoral mobilisation.
“However, we will never accept any force treating workers’ organisations as dispensable electoral tools. Workers have the right to independent political thoughts, judgement, and choice.”
The NLC said its central focus remained the protection of workers’ welfare, decent wages, safe working conditions and accountability in governance.
“The unity and action of the masses is the only reliable force capable of changing this country. Hope belongs to those who organise, who struggle, and who choose their own destiny,” the statement added.