The Federal Government and organised labour are resuming negotiations over petrol prices, workers’ wages and other unresolved welfare demands as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) consider possible nationwide industrial action.
The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, follows an earlier round of discussions that ended without an agreement, with labour unions demanding concrete proposals from the government before deciding on their next course of action.
The unions are seeking a reduction in petrol prices to the levels prevailing when the current ₦70,000 national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024, tax relief for workers, immediate wage awards and the commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, NLC Assistant Secretary-General Chris Onyeka said organised labour expected the government to present specific responses to its outstanding demands.
According to him, the unions do not want further discussions that fail to produce concrete commitments.
The October 22 meeting ended without a resolution after labour accused the government delegation of lacking the authority to negotiate substantively. The government subsequently requested more time to assemble relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies for the next session.
A major point of disagreement between the government and labour is when negotiations for a new national minimum wage should begin.
The Federal Government maintains that the current ₦70,000 minimum wage is due for review on June 1, 2027, in line with the three-year review cycle under the amended National Minimum Wage Act.
However, the NLC wants preparations for a new wage review to begin immediately, including the inauguration of a tripartite committee comprising the government, organised labour and employers.
The union argues that early negotiations would allow sufficient time to reach an agreement and prevent delays in implementing a revised wage.
President Bola Tinubu signed the legislation increasing Nigeria’s minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 in July 2024 following negotiations with organised labour and the organised private sector.
Labour maintains that inflation, the depreciation of the naira and rising living costs have weakened workers’ purchasing power despite the increase.
Organised labour is also demanding a reduction in petrol prices, arguing that rising fuel costs have increased transportation expenses and pushed up the prices of food and other essential goods.
The unions are seeking petrol prices to return to the levels prevailing when the current minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.
Other demands include the implementation of tax relief measures previously agreed with the government, immediate wage awards and the resolution of outstanding agreements affecting public-sector workers.
The NLC has directed its affiliates and state councils to prepare for possible nationwide industrial action if the negotiations fail to produce meaningful progress.
The unions had initially issued a two-week ultimatum on October 8, which expired on October 22. They subsequently extended the deadline to October 27 to allow further discussions with the government.
Meanwhile, the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria has urged the government to pay eligible retirees three months of outstanding fuel-subsidy palliatives amounting to ₦75,000.
The association also called for improved access to healthcare benefits for pensioners amid rising living costs.
The outcome of the latest negotiations is expected to determine whether organised labour continues discussions with the government or proceeds with further action over workers’ welfare, petrol prices and wage demands.