Labour threatens nationwide action as talks with FG fail
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have directed their state councils and civil society allies to begin mobilisation for possible nationwide industrial action following unsuccessful negotiations with the Federal Government over petrol prices and workers’ welfare.
The directive followed a meeting held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during which organised labour demanded a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels and the renegotiation of the national minimum wage.
In a joint statement signed by the NLC Acting Secretary General, Benson Upah, labour leaders accused the government delegation of attending the meeting without adequate preparation or authority to address their demands.
“Regrettably, the government delegation came unprepared and without the necessary mandates to engage substantively on these issues. No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved,” the statement said.
Other demands presented by organised labour included the implementation of agreed tax relief measures, the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) terms of settlement and outstanding allowances demanded by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC).
These include peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
According to the unions, the Federal Government requested that negotiations be adjourned until Tuesday, October 27, to enable relevant ministers and heads of government agencies to participate in further discussions.
Labour said it accepted the adjournment in the interest of dialogue but warned that workers would not tolerate indefinite delays in resolving their grievances.
“We will report back to our organs, and if no meaningful progress is made on Tuesday, the relevant organs of the NLC will decide the next line of action,” the statement added.
The unions urged workers and Nigerians to remain calm while awaiting the outcome of the next meeting.
However, they directed affiliated unions, state councils and civil society organisations to remain on alert and commence preparations for possible nationwide action should negotiations fail.
Organised labour maintained that it would continue pursuing workers’ demands through legitimate means, expressing hope that the government would present concrete proposals at the rescheduled meeting.
The development raises the possibility of nationwide industrial action if both parties fail to reach an agreement on Tuesday.