NLC Reveals TUC’s Position as Talks With FG Over Workers’ Demands Stall

According to a report by DAILY POST on Friday 23 October 2026, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has disclosed that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) did not participate in its recent meeting with the Federal Government over workers’ demands, distancing the second-largest labour centre from the discussions.

The clarification followed reports suggesting that both labour organisations were involved in the October 22 meeting, which ended without an agreement on the issues raised by the NLC.

The talks have been rescheduled for October 27 following the government’s request for more time to enable relevant ministers and heads of agencies to participate.

In a statement issued on Friday, the NLC’s Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, maintained that the TUC was not part of the dialogue and did not issue an ultimatum to the government in connection with the meeting.

“The TUC was not part of the dialogue between the NLC and the Federal Government on October 22, 2026,” the statement read.

The labour congress explained that although representatives of the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council attended the meeting, their participation did not mean the TUC was officially represented.

The development comes as the NLC intensifies its demands for government action on rising petrol prices, minimum wage negotiations and unresolved welfare concerns affecting public-sector workers.

The October 22 discussions took place at the Federal Ministry of Labour in Abuja after the NLC issued an ultimatum to the government on October 8.

The union is demanding that petrol prices be reduced to their 2024 levels, alongside the renegotiation of the national minimum wage and the implementation of previously agreed tax relief measures.

It is also pressing for the resolution of outstanding welfare issues involving health workers and other public servants.

However, the meeting failed to yield any firm commitments from the government delegation.

According to Upah, the officials representing the government lacked the authority required to negotiate substantively on the demands presented by labour leaders.

He said the major issues remained unresolved at the end of the discussions.

The Federal Government subsequently requested that the meeting be adjourned until October 27 to allow ministers and relevant heads of departments and agencies to take part in the negotiations.

Meanwhile, the NLC is seeking the implementation of the February 5, 2026, terms of settlement involving the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals.

The congress is also demanding action on concerns raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council regarding peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.

The outcome of the next meeting is expected to determine whether the government will make concrete commitments towards resolving the disputes and addressing the concerns of affected workers.

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