Labour To Decide On Nationwide Strike After Meeting With FG Over Fuel Prices, Minimum Wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are expected to decide on their next course of action after meeting with the Federal Government on Tuesday over petrol prices, minimum wage negotiations and other unresolved workers’ welfare issues, amid the threat of a nationwide strike.

Organised labour is expected to decide its next course of action following a meeting with the Federal Government on Tuesday over petrol prices, minimum wage negotiations and other unresolved workers’ welfare issues.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are demanding concrete proposals from the government to address their concerns, warning that the outcome of the meeting will determine whether they proceed with nationwide industrial action.

The meeting follows an earlier round of negotiations on October 22, which ended without an agreement. Labour had accused the government delegation of arriving without the authority to make meaningful commitments on the unions’ demands.

The NLC Assistant Secretary-General, Chris Onyeka, confirmed on Monday that the government had invited the union to another meeting, adding that labour expected concrete responses to its demands.

“We expect them to come with answers to our demands, so that the meeting will not be prolonged,” Onyeka said.

He added that the unions did not expect the government to reopen discussions on demands that had already been formally presented.

A source within organised labour also confirmed that the government had requested additional time to prepare for the meeting, adding that labour would take a final decision afterwards.

A Trade Union Congress official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the outcome of the discussions would determine the unions’ next move.

The Head of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Labour, Ann Daniel, also confirmed that the meeting was scheduled to hold, subject to any changes.

Labour’s Demands

The NLC and TUC are demanding a reduction in petrol prices to the levels prevailing when the N70,000 minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.

They are also seeking immediate wage awards to cushion workers against rising living costs, tax relief measures previously agreed with the government and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

Other outstanding demands include the implementation of agreements affecting health-sector workers and the resolution of issues relating to peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances in the public service.

The NLC had issued a two-week ultimatum on October 8, demanding action on petrol prices, the commencement of minimum wage negotiations before the end of October and the resolution of outstanding labour agreements.

The ultimatum expired on October 22, the same day the earlier negotiations ended without a resolution. The unions subsequently extended the deadline to October 27, warning that they could embark on nationwide action if the government failed to make meaningful progress.

The NLC had also directed its affiliates and state councils to prepare for possible industrial action.

Disagreement Over Minimum Wage Review

A major point of disagreement between the government and organised labour is when negotiations should begin to review the current N70,000 monthly minimum wage.

The Federal Government maintains that the wage is due for review on June 1, 2027, citing the three-year review cycle provided under the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, as amended in 2024.

In a letter dated October 12, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, described negotiations for another review barely two years after the current wage was introduced as premature and potentially disruptive to industrial relations.

However, the NLC insists that preparations for a new wage review should begin immediately.

In a letter dated October 13, the union’s president, Joe Ajaero, argued that the timetable under the original 2019 legislation remained relevant despite the 2024 amendment.

The union has called for the nomination of representatives and the inauguration of a National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee comprising the government, organised labour and employers.

According to the NLC, beginning the administrative process early would provide sufficient time for negotiations and prevent delays in implementing a new wage.

President Bola Tinubu signed the current minimum wage legislation into law on July 29, 2024, increasing the statutory minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 after prolonged negotiations.

While the government has cited the 133 per cent increase as a significant adjustment for workers, labour maintains that rising inflation, the depreciation of the naira and increasing costs of essential goods and services have eroded its benefits.

The unions argue that many workers continue to struggle with the cost of transportation, food, housing, healthcare and education.

Petrol Prices, Other Labour Disputes

Petrol prices remain a major source of disagreement, with labour arguing that rising fuel costs have increased transportation expenses and pushed up the prices of food and other essential commodities.

The NLC is demanding a reduction in petrol prices to the levels prevailing when the current minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.

The unions are also seeking the implementation of tax relief measures agreed with the government in 2023 and immediate wage awards to help workers cope with rising living costs.

Other unresolved matters include the implementation of the February 5, 2026, terms of settlement involving the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals.

Labour is also seeking action on demands raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, including issues relating to peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.

The Federal Ministry of Labour said it was engaging relevant ministries, departments and agencies to address issues within the government’s jurisdiction.

Pensioners Demand Outstanding Benefits

Meanwhile, the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN) has urged the Federal Government to pay eligible retirees three months of outstanding fuel-subsidy-removal palliatives, amounting to N75,000 per beneficiary.

The association made the demand in a communiqué issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on October 22, 2026. The document was signed by its President-General, Benjamin Maisamari Amako, and General Secretary, Franklin Erinle.

The association also called on the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to clarify the implementation of pension harmonisation, which took effect in January 2026, and make the relevant government circular available to retirees.

It said the exercise should improve monthly benefits for eligible pensioners and urged the authorities to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to address complaints and resolve outstanding cases.

FEPPPAN further urged PTAD to ensure that the planned relaunch of its ‘I Am Alive’ verification platform did not disrupt pension payments to elderly, sick or physically incapacitated retirees.

It called for clear guidelines, adequate assistance and safeguards to prevent eligible beneficiaries from being excluded because of difficulties with the verification process.

While commending President Tinubu for the timely payment of monthly pensions to retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, the association urged the government to sustain the practice and ensure uninterrupted payments.

Pensioners Seek Easier Access To Healthcare

On healthcare, FEPPPAN called on PTAD and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to simplify enrolment in the Pensioner Health Insurance Scheme.

It recommended assisted registration, accessible enrolment centres and support for retirees who are unable to travel because of age, illness or disability.

The association expressed concern that administrative and technological barriers could prevent eligible pensioners from registering for and accessing healthcare benefits.

It urged the authorities to identify retirees who had yet to enrol and assist them in completing the process.

“No eligible pensioner should be denied access to the scheme because of difficulties with registration, verification or other administrative procedures,” the association said.

FEPPPAN also called for an effective complaints-resolution mechanism to address enrolment difficulties and other challenges pensioners might encounter while seeking healthcare services.

It urged PTAD and other relevant authorities to provide clear and accessible information on pension entitlements, verification procedures, healthcare enrolment, eligibility requirements and channels for resolving complaints.

The association said transparent and responsive pension administration was essential to protecting retirees’ welfare, dignity and financial security amid rising living costs.

It also stressed the need for special assistance for elderly, sick and physically incapacitated pensioners who might struggle with verification procedures, warning that inadequate support could cause unnecessary hardship or disrupt pension payments.

FEPPPAN urged the President and relevant authorities to ensure that retirees received their entitlements promptly and without interruption, calling for the “prompt and favourable consideration” of the resolutions contained in its communiqué.