Organised labour has directed its state councils and civil society groups across Nigeria to begin mobilising for a possible nationwide action after a meeting with the Federal Government over petrol prices and the renegotiation of the national minimum wage ended without a resolution.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), in a joint statement, said labour leaders had during the meeting on October 22, 2026, presented the demands in good faith.
They listed the demands to include a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, renegotiation of the national minimum wage, implementation of the agreed tax relief, the JOHESU terms of settlement, and the JPSNC demands on peculiar allowance, wage award and hazard allowance.
“Regrettably, the government delegation came unprepared and without the necessary mandates to engage substantively on these issues. No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved,” the statement signed by Acting Secretary General of the NLC, Benson Upah, read in part.
Organised labour said that the Federal Government requested an adjournment of the meeting to Tuesday, October 27, 2026, to allow the government to make adequate arrangements for a productive session, including assembling all the relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies.
The NLC said that while it remains committed to dialogue, it would not accept indefinite delay.
“We will report back to our organs, and if no meaningful progress is made on Tuesday, the relevant organs of the NLC will decide the next line of action,” it said.
Organised labour called on Nigerian workers and the general public to remain calm and resolute, as it would attend the next meeting “believing that government will deliver on each of the workers’ demands”.
“We assure all that we shall continue to pursue the interests of workers and the masses through every legitimate means available,” it added.
“However, we urge all affiliates of NLC; all state councils and our civil society allies to be at alert and start mobilising for a possible action across the nation while we hope that the tenets of our demands are met by the government.”
