Fresh Trouble for Tinubu Govt as NLC Issues 14-Day Ultimatum

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a fresh two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding urgent measures to reduce the price of petrol and begin the renegotiation of the national minimum wage.

The ultimatum, which begins on Friday, October 9, 2026, was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the NLC National Executive Council (NEC) and Central Working Committee (CWC) at Labour House, Abuja.

According to the communiqué signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the leadership of the union had reviewed the economic difficulties confronting Nigerian workers and the wider population.

The NLC said inflation, the depreciation of the naira and rising living costs had continued to weaken workers’ purchasing power and make it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to afford basic necessities.

“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.

“Inflation continues to soar unabated, the naira remains traumatised, wages have been rendered worthless, and the cost of living has become unbearable.”

On the minimum wage, the NLC said the current wage had lost significant value because of the depreciation of the naira and the sharp increase in the cost of living.

The union said workers could no longer adequately provide food, shelter, healthcare, transportation and education for their families on their current earnings.

It therefore demanded that the Federal Government commence the renegotiation of the national minimum wage before the end of October.

The NLC said the objective should be to establish a living wage that reflects the current cost of living and protects the dignity of Nigerian workers.

“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.”

The labour centre also renewed its demand for a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol.

According to the NLC, the high cost of petrol has continued to increase transportation expenses and contributed to higher prices of food and other essential commodities.

It urged the Federal Government to work with relevant agencies to reduce the pump price of petrol to the level it was when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.

The union said such a measure was necessary to reduce the impact of the energy crisis on workers and other Nigerians.

“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.

The labour body also demanded tax relief for workers as previously agreed and the immediate payment of wage awards to cushion the impact of the rising cost of living.

It said workers could not continue to bear the burden of economic adjustment without corresponding relief from the government.

Beyond wages and petrol prices, the NLC included several other outstanding labour issues in its ultimatum.

The Federal Government was asked to implement the terms of settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) on February 5, 2026, as well as address new demands that have emerged since the agreement.

The NLC also demanded the implementation of the demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC).

It warned that failure to address the issues would leave it with no option but to take what it described as remedial steps as directed by its relevant organs.

“The joint meeting issues a two-week ultimatum to the federal government, beginning from Friday, the 9th day of October, 2026,” the communiqué said.

It further directed its affiliates and progressive allies to remain on high alert and prepare for what it described as “decisive efforts” against policies it considers harmful to workers and the wider population.

The latest ultimatum comes at a time when the NLC is already engaged in a major industrial dispute in the Federal Capital Territory.

As previously reported, the NLC FCT Council commenced an indefinite strike on Wednesday, October 7, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Administration over unresolved issues involving teachers’ promotion and career progression.

The FCT dispute is centred largely on the use of available vacancies as a condition for teachers to advance to higher positions.

The labour movement has argued that teachers employed specifically to teach under the FCT Universal Basic Education Board and FCT Secondary Education Board should not be subjected to a promotion system designed for core civil servants or pool officers.

The NLC FCT Council is also demanding that teachers who were eligible for the 2025 promotion examination but could not participate be allowed to sit for the examination alongside, or before, candidates for the 2026 exercise.

The union has further called for the reversal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to education directors covered by the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022.

The NLC FCT Council said several engagements and representations had taken place before the strike was declared but failed to produce a resolution acceptable to its members.

NLC FCT Chairman, Knabayi S. Adalo, criticised the position of the FCT Administration on the promotion dispute.

“Teachers are not core civil servants nor pool staff and cannot be subjected to vacancy-based promotion meant for pool officers. The FCTA’s attempt to sustain industrial harmony without addressing injustice is mere wishful thinking,” Adalo said.

The NLC has since directed its affiliate unions to mobilise members for the FCT strike, while the Nigeria Union of Teachers, FCT Wing, instructed teachers in public primary and secondary schools to remain at home pending further directives.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.