As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dropped a bombshell — demanding an immediate slashing of petrol prices and payment of all outstanding wage awards.
In a blistering Independence Day message on Wednesday, October 1, 2026, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the Nigerian worker is bleeding, and the current N70,000 minimum wage has been shredded by inflation.
“Petrol now sells at N1,430 per litre or higher in major cities and far more in remote areas,” the Congress lamented. “The real value of wages has been devoured by structural inflation. Transport fares have pushed up food, school fees, rent — yet nominal wages remain unchanged.”
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Where Did Subsidy Savings Go?
The NLC did not mince words, describing the May 2023 petrol price hike as a “systematic assault on the working class” and questioning the Federal Government’s silence on subsidy savings.
“Three years later, petrol prices have multiplied several times over, yet the promised infrastructure and social services remain mirages. Where exactly did the subsidy savings go? Nigerians deserve an answer, and they deserve it now!” the statement thundered.
The Congress also demanded immediate implementation of tax relief measures agreed with government in October 2023, and a cut in the obscene cost of governance.
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New Wage Battle Begins — Deadline December 31
In its most critical demand, the NLC called for the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to negotiate and legislate a new living wage for 2027 — and conclude all talks before December 31, 2026.
The labour centre painted a grim picture: nearly 2,000 Nigerians killed by violence in Q1 2026 alone, farmers unable to farm, teachers afraid to teach, youths fleeing the country in droves due to unemployment and poverty.
On 2027 elections, Ajaero warned political actors: respect voters’ choices, stop rigging, intimidation and ethnic baiting. Workers, he said, are not electoral tools.
“Workers have the right to independent political thoughts, judgement, and choice,” the NLC declared, vowing to release a Workers’ Charter to decide who gets labour’s support.
