By Kingston Magare 8.10.2026
President Bola Tinubu’s government has been given a two-week ultimatum by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to bring down the price of petrol and renegotiate a new national minimum wage.
The NLC national executive council and central working committee rising from a meeting Thursday in Abuja said the ultimatum begins Friday, October 9, 2026. NLC said in a communique that the leadership of the union had reviewed the economic difficulties confronting Nigerian workers and the wider population.
“The joint meeting-in-session notes with profound alarm the deepening misery inflicted on the Nigerian working class and the broader masses by the neo-liberal policies of the federal government and its state institutions,” the NLC said in the communique signed by its president Joe Ajaero.
“Inflation continues to soar unabated, the naira remains traumatised, wages have been rendered worthless, and the cost of living has become unbearable.”
The union said workers could no longer adequately provide food, shelter, healthcare, transportation and education for their families on their current earnings.
“Consequently, NEC-in-session demands that the federal government commences the renegotiation of the national minimum wage before the end of this month,” the communiqué stated.
“The Congress demands a living wage that reflects the true cost of living and the dignity of the Nigerian worker. Any further delay by the federal government remains unacceptable.”
Speaking the high cost of energy particularly petrol the NLC added:
“The exorbitant pump price of petrol has had a cascading effect on the cost of transportation, food, and other essential goods, further deepening the hardship of workers and the masses,” the NLC said.
NLC president Joe Ajaero...makes fresh minimum wage demands.