NLC Accuses Government of Abandoning Workers as Hardship Deepens

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Federal Government of failing to do enough to protect workers from the rising cost of living, saying inflation has severely reduced the value of workers’ wages.

In its Independence Day statement, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the existing ₦70,000 minimum wage had been significantly eroded by rising prices of food, transportation, housing, education and other essential goods.

Labour demands urgent relief

The NLC is demanding an immediate nationwide wage award for workers at the federal, state and local government levels.

It also wants the government to:

Reduce the price of petrol.

Begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage for 2027.

Implement tax relief measures agreed with labour.

Reduce the cost of governance.

Improve investment in roads, hospitals, schools and other public infrastructure.

Provide more economic opportunities for young Nigerians.

The union also questioned what happened to the savings from the removal of the petrol subsidy, saying Nigerians had been told the savings would support infrastructure and social services.

Warning strike remains on the table

The NLC’s position comes as public-sector unions under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have threatened a three-day warning strike from October 2 if their demands are not addressed.

Among their demands are a reduction of petrol to ₦500 per litre, a wage award and the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new minimum wage for 2027.

As of October 1, the proposed action should be described as a threatened warning strike, not as an ongoing strike.

Monafrika Focus

The labour dispute highlights a wider challenge facing Nigeria: economic reforms may improve some national indicators, but workers are asking when those changes will translate into better purchasing power and lower household costs.

The Federal Government’s response to the labour demands will be closely watched, particularly as Nigeria begins its 67th year of independence.

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