The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to reduce petrol prices and commence the renegotiation of the national minimum wage.
The ultimatum was contained in a communiqué signed by Joe Ajaero, NLC president, after a joint meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) and Central Working Committee (CWC) on Thursday in Abuja. The meeting deliberated on the state of the nation, rising cost of living, economic hardship and what the union described as threats confronting workers and Nigerians.
“The joint meeting issues a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, beginning on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.
“Within this period, the government is expected to take measures to reduce the price of petrol across the nation and commence the process of renegotiating a new national minimum wage.
“Failure of which the NLC will be compelled to take remedial steps as would be directed by the relevant organs,” Ajaero said.
The NLC president said the current national minimum wage had been eroded by the depreciation of the naira and rising cost of living, leaving workers struggling to afford basic necessities.
He demanded that the Federal Government commence renegotiation of the minimum wage before the end of October, saying workers needed a living wage that reflected prevailing economic realities.
Ajaero also called for an immediate reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to ease pressure on workers and other Nigerians.
According to him, high petrol prices have increased transportation fares and the cost of food and other essential goods, worsening the economic pressure on households.
He urged the government to reduce petrol prices to the level prevailing when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.
The NLC president also demanded the implementation of the Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) on Feb. 5, 2026.
He called for the implementation of outstanding demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC), as well as agreed tax relief measures.
Ajaero further demanded immediate payment of wage awards to workers to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
He urged workers and NLC affiliates to remain organised and prepared to respond if the Federal Government failed to meet the demands within the two-week period.
The NLC president reaffirmed the union’s commitment to defending workers’ interests and urged its affiliates and progressive allies to remain on high alert.
