The Nigeria Labour Congress has given the Federal Government a two-week deadline to reduce petrol prices, begin renegotiations of the minimum wage and address other outstanding workers’ demands.
The demands were outlined in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the NLC’s National Executive Council and Central Working Committee, held in Abuja on October 7, 2026. The communiqué was signed by the union’s president, Joe Ajaero.
The ultimatum takes effect on October 9, amid concerns over rising living costs and the erosion of workers’ purchasing power.
The NLC is demanding a reduction in petrol prices to the levels recorded when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024. It is also calling for negotiations on a new minimum wage to begin before the end of October.
The congress said high petrol prices had driven up transportation fares, food prices and other essential costs, worsening the financial strain on workers and households.
“The joint meeting issues a two-week ultimatum to the federal government, beginning from Friday, the 9th day of October, 2026 within which it is expected to, among other things: Take measures to reduce the price of petrol across the nation to what it was at the signing of the current national minimum wage in 2024,” the communiqué stated.
It added that the current minimum wage had lost purchasing power due to the depreciation of the naira and rising living costs, leaving workers struggling to afford basic necessities.
The congress also called for the implementation of agreed tax relief measures and wage awards to cushion workers against rising living costs.
Beyond these demands, the NLC urged the government to honour outstanding agreements with public- and health-sector workers. These include the February 5, 2026, settlement with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals, as well as the demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council.
The union warned that failure to address its demands within the two-week ultimatum could lead to further action.
The Federal Government has announced a 30-day petrol discount to ease the burden of high fuel prices on Nigerians.
