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, warning that failure to meet its demands could trigger fresh industrial action.
  The ultimatum, which takes effect from today, Oct 9, was issued at a joint meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) and Central Working Committee (CWC) of the NLC held in Abuja.
  
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.
  The Congress also demanded that petrol prices be reduced to the level prevailing when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024, saying the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) had triggered increases in transportation, food and other essential commodities.
  
In a communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the union said the two-week ultimatum was necessary because workers could no longer cope with the worsening economic conditions.
  The NLC said, “the current national minimum wage has been rendered worthless by the relentless depreciation of the naira and the astronomical rise in the cost of living,” adding that workers could no longer afford basic necessities, including food, shelter, healthcare, transportation and education.
  
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.
  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.
  
According to the NLC, the high cost of petrol had created a cascading effect on the prices of transportation, food and other essential goods, thereby worsening the hardship faced by workers and low-income households.
  The labour centre further demanded the immediate implementation of tax relief for workers and the payment of wage awards to cushion the impact of the rising cost of living.
  
Beyond the wage and petrol price demands, the NLC directed the government, within the two-week period, to implement the terms of settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) on February 5, 2026, as well as address new demands arising from the agreement.
  It also demanded the implementation of the demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC).
  
The Congress warned that failure by the government to meet the demands within the stipulated period would leave it with no option but to take “remedial steps” as may be directed by its relevant organs.
  The NLC said the ultimatum followed growing concerns over the economic conditions confronting Nigerian workers and the wider population, which it described as an existential crisis.
  
It accused the government of pursuing policies that had transferred the burden of economic difficulties to workers and the masses, while wages continued to lose purchasing power.
  The Congress called on its affiliates and progressive allies to remain on high alert and prepare for decisive action against policies it considers inimical to workers and the masses.
  
The latest ultimatum comes amid renewed pressure from organised labour for an urgent review of workers’ earnings as the cost of living continues to erode the purchasing power of the current national minimum wage.