Organised labour has given the Federal Government until Tuesday, 27 October 2026, to make meaningful progress on its demands over petrol prices, minimum wage and other outstanding workers’ issues, warning that failure could trigger nationwide industrial action.
The ultimatum followed a meeting between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress at the Federal Ministry of Labour in Abuja on Thursday, which ended without a resolution.
In a joint statement signed by the NLC General Secretary, Benson Upah, and the TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, organised labour expressed disappointment with the outcome of Thursday’s meeting.
The unions alleged that the government delegation arrived without the necessary mandate to negotiate substantive solutions to the issues presented.
“No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved,” the unions said.
The labour unions said their next course of action would depend on the outcome of the rescheduled meeting on Tuesday.
According to labour, the Minister of Labour requested that the meeting be adjourned until 27 October to enable the government to make adequate preparations and bring relevant ministers as well as heads of departments and agencies to the negotiating table.
The unions said they remained committed to dialogue but would not accept what they described as indefinite delays in resolving matters affecting Nigerian workers.
Petrol price, minimum wage top demands
Among the key demands are a reduction in petrol prices to the levels prevailing when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024 and the commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage.
The unions are also demanding the implementation of agreed tax relief measures and the resolution of outstanding issues affecting health workers and other public servants.
Nigeria’s national minimum wage was increased from N30,000 to N70,000 in 2024 following negotiations involving the Federal Government, organised labour and other stakeholders.
However, labour has argued that rising living costs and the erosion of workers’ purchasing power have made further wage negotiations necessary.
More labour demands
The unions are also pressing for the implementation of the 5 February 2026, Terms of Settlement involving the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals.
They want the Federal Government to address demands raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, including issues relating to peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
Labour had earlier issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government over the demands, with the deadline expected to expire around the latest round of negotiations.
Nationwide action looms
Following Thursday’s deadlocked meeting, the NLC and TUC directed their affiliates and state councils to remain on alert and begin preparations for possible nationwide action.
The unions, however, appealed to workers and members of the public to remain calm while awaiting the outcome of Tuesday’s meeting.
Labour said it would attend the rescheduled meeting with the expectation that the government would provide concrete responses to its demands.
It warned that if no meaningful progress was achieved, the relevant organs of the NLC would determine the next line of action.
The development raises the prospect of renewed industrial tension across the country as labour presses the Federal Government to address fuel prices, wages, tax relief and unresolved agreements affecting public-sector and health workers.
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