The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to take urgent measures to reduce the price of petrol and commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage. The ultimatum takes effect from Friday, October 9, 2026.
The demand was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the NLC’s National Executive Council and Central Working Committee in Abuja. The Congress said rising inflation, declining purchasing power and the high cost of petrol had made it increasingly difficult for workers to meet basic needs.
The NLC is demanding that petrol prices be reduced to the level prevailing when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024. It also wants the Federal Government to begin the process of renegotiating the national minimum wage, implement previously agreed tax relief for workers and introduce wage awards to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
Beyond wages and petrol, the Congress called for the implementation of the February 5, 2026 Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU), as well as outstanding demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council.
The NLC warned that failure to meet the demands within the two-week period would compel the Congress to take further action, with its affiliates and allies directed to remain prepared for what the union described as decisive action.