Labour Gives FG Two-Week Ultimatum To Revert Petrol Price

Organised Labour has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to revert petrol price to its 2024 level and commence negotiation for a new national minimum wage.

The ultimatum was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a joint meeting of the National Executive Council ( NEC) and the Central Working Committee, CWC, of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The communiqué which was signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated that the ultimatum takes effect from Friday, October 9, 2026.

Labour demanded that government reduces the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit to what it was before the current minimum wage was signed in 2024, as a measure to cushion the impact of the energy crisis on workers and the masses.

“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, to cushion the impact of the energy crisis on workers and the masses, as is being done in other countries.

The Congress also demanded that government begins the process of renegotiating a new national minimum wage before the end of October, arguing that the current wage has been rendered worthless by naira depreciation and rising cost of living, with workers unable to afford food, shelter, healthcare, transportation and education.

“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,” it noted.

Other demands include full implementation of the Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals on February 5, 2026, addressing subsequent demands by the unions, and implementing the demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council.

“Commence the process of renegotiating a new national minimum wage;

“Implement the dictates of the Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals, JOHESU, on February 5, 2026, and address other demands that have arisen since then;
“Implement the demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council, JPSNC,” It said.

The NLC warned that failure to meet the demands within the stipulated period would compel it to take remedial action as may be directed by its relevant organs.

The meeting, which deliberated on the state of the nation and the survival challenges facing workers, lamented that inflation continues to soar, the naira remains under pressure, wages have lost value and the cost of living has become unbearable.

The communiqué accused government of pursuing neo-liberal policies that transfer the burden of fiscal challenges to poor workers and the masses while enriching a few, insisting that no society can develop sustainably under corporate plunder and economic enslavement of its working people.

Labour further decried the high cost of petrol, saying it has triggered increases in transportation, food and other essential goods. It called on government to reverse what it described as insensitive policies that allow indiscriminate hikes in petroleum prices to the benefit of oil marketers.

The Congress also asked for tax relief for workers as previously agreed and the immediate payment of wage awards to ease the impact of rising living costs, describing both as the minimum needed to restore dignity to workers.

“The government cannot continue to demand sacrifice from workers without offering any relief to the suffering masses and workers,” it stated
It reaffirmed its responsibility to resist exploitation and oppression and called on its affiliates and progressive allies to remain on high alert and prepared to engage in decisive action against anti-people policies.