The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has insisted that its two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government remains in force, warning that workers can no longer cope with rising petrol prices and the increasing cost of living.
NLC President Joe Ajaero made the position clear in Abuja on Monday, October 19, while calling for urgent action to ease workers’ economic hardship. He stressed that the union expected the government to address its demands rather than wait for protests or industrial action.
The NLC ultimatum centres on demands for petrol price relief and fresh negotiations on workers’ wages. Ajaero argued that the N70,000 national minimum wage agreed upon in 2024 has lost much of its value because of rising living costs.
His remarks came as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, urged labour leaders and government officials to balance workers’ demands with the country’s financial capacity.
Ajaero Says Nigerian Workers Are Struggling
Speaking at a retreat involving the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Ajaero said many workers were finding it increasingly difficult to afford basic necessities.
He maintained that the government should introduce measures to protect workers before the situation leads to strikes or street protests.
“The point we are making is not strike. The point we are making is that whether you enter bus or you buy fuel, you will not be able to eat,” Ajaero said.
The labour leader also explained that the union had exchanged correspondence with the government over its demands. However, he rejected the idea of negotiating the ultimatum during the retreat.
He urged government officials to recognise workers’ hardship and take action that would improve their living conditions.
The NLC ultimatum follows growing concerns over petrol prices, transportation costs and the declining purchasing power of workers across the country.
NLC Disputes Claims of 133% Salary Increase
Ajaero also challenged claims that the 2024 minimum wage negotiations had delivered salary increases of about 133 per cent for federal public servants.
According to him, the government added N40,000 to workers’ salaries, an adjustment he said did not amount to the widely reported percentage increase.
He argued that the adjustment had failed to provide sufficient relief as inflation and higher transport costs continued to affect household budgets.
The NLC president further raised concerns about unresolved labour disputes, including issues affecting health sector workers.
He recalled that organised labour had intervened in an 84-day strike by health workers and helped suspend the action. However, he said the underlying issues remained unresolved more than a year later.
Ajaero also disclosed that workers under the National Public Service Negotiating Council had considered industrial action before labour leaders persuaded them to suspend their plans.
He rejected allegations that politicians were using the NLC to advance political interests, insisting that the union’s demands were driven by workers’ welfare.
FG Calls for Balance Between Wages and Public Finances
Meanwhile, Akume called for a sustainable approach to wage administration, saying the government must consider workers’ expectations alongside its financial resources.
He was represented at the retreat by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Abubakar Kana.
Akume said wage policies should reflect economic realities while promoting industrial harmony and national development.
He warned that avoidable industrial disputes could undermine stability, urging government institutions and organised labour to prioritise dialogue and cooperation.
The SGF also called for stronger research, improved data management and clear implementation plans to support wage decisions.
Salaries Commission Seeks Long-Term Wage Reforms
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Junaidu Bindawa, said Nigeria needed a more strategic system for determining wages and managing compensation.
He identified inflation, changing labour expectations and demands for greater public sector efficiency as key challenges facing wage administration.
Bindawa said the commission’s retreat was intended to improve its ability to develop sustainable policies and strengthen cooperation between its board and management.
The commission’s secretary, Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, also called for wage decisions based on reliable data rather than emergency responses to economic pressure.
She said the commission wanted to move away from reactive salary reviews towards a permanent system supported by research, social dialogue and effective monitoring.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Abel Enitan stressed that improved workers’ welfare and a more productive civil service were important to Nigeria’s development plans.
For now, the NLC ultimatum remains in place, according to Ajaero. However, the union has not announced a specific strike date in the remarks contained in the report, leaving further developments dependent on discussions between labour and the Federal Government.