NLC: Two-weeks Ultimatum Issued to FG on Wage talks, Petrol price

‎Warnings of fresh industrial action arises as the Nigeria Labour Congress ,NLC, has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage and take immediate steps to reduce the price of petrol.

‎The timeline, which takes effect from Friday, October 9, was issued at a joint meeting of the National Executive Council , NEC, and Central Working Committee, CWC, of the Nigerian Labour Congress in Abuja.

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‎In the same vein, the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has urged the Federal Government to implement policies to alleviate workers’ economic hardship, particularly the rising costs of food, transportation, healthcare, housing , education, and provide adequate security.

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‎The labour centre demanded that the Federal Government begin the renegotiation of the national minimum wage before the end of October, arguing that the current wage had been rendered worthless by the continued depreciation of the naira and rising cost of living.

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‎It also demanded that petrol prices be reduced to the level prevailing when the present national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.

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‎In a communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the union said the ultimatum was necessary because workers could no longer cope with the worsening economic conditions.

‎It therefore demanded a “living wage that reflects the true cost of living and the dignity of the Nigerian worker,” insisting that any further delay in opening negotiations was unacceptable.

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‎On petrol prices, the congress said the Federal Government must work with relevant agencies to immediately bring down the pump price, accusing the government of allowing “indiscriminate hikes” in petroleum products.

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‎The NLC has also directed the government, to implement the terms of settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) on February 5, 2026, .

‎It also demanded the implementation of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC) ‘s demands.

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‎Acting National President of ASSBIFI, Fanimokun Adesina, at the commemoration of the 2026 World Day for Decent Work, held on Wednesday at the ASSBIFI Events Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, described as unacceptable a situation where the national minimum wage could not adequately meet workers’ basic needs, stressing that workers deserved to be treated with dignity.

‎Adesina described the theme for the year, ‘Young Workers Organising for the Future’, as very apt, as it tends to address the existential succession challenges facing trade unions in Nigeria and the world of work.

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‎He also called on banks, insurance companies and other employers to respect workers’ freedom of association and allow them to join trade unions of their choice without intimidation or threat in line with the provisions of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and the ratification of ILO Convention 158 on Termination of Employment.

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