NLC Issues Four-Day Ultimatum to Federal Government

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by Acting General Secretary Comrade Benson Upah, has given the federal government a four-day ultimatum to address workers' demands, threatening a nationwide strike starting October 27 if these demands are not met. This announcement followed a meeting at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja that ended in a deadlock, with Upah stating that the government delegation was unprepared and lacked the necessary mandates for substantive engagement.

The NLC's demands include reducing petrol prices to 2024 levels, renegotiating the national minimum wage, and implementing agreed tax relief measures. Additional demands involve the implementation of Terms of Settlement with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU), as well as addressing outstanding issues from the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC) regarding allowances and wage awards.

Upah urged NLC affiliates and civil society allies to mobilize for potential action while expressing hope for a resolution in the next meeting scheduled for October 27.