NLC Demands Petrol Price Cut and New Minimum Wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed serious concerns regarding a worsening survival crisis in Nigeria, demanding immediate action from the Federal Government. In a statement issued on September 30, 2026, by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the union called for a reduction in petrol prices, a nationwide wage award, and the initiation of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

Ajaero highlighted that inflation has severely diminished the real value of workers' earnings, with petrol prices reaching ₦1,430 per litre in major cities, and even higher in remote areas. The NLC stated that the high cost of petrol is a significant driver of inflation, impacting transportation and logistics costs, which in turn raises the prices of essential goods.

The union criticized the government's removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, labeling the subsequent price increases as a "systematic assault on the working class." The NLC also questioned the government's claims regarding the allocation of savings from the subsidy removal, demanding transparency on the matter.