Rising petrol prices in Nigeria have triggered fresh pressure on the federal government as lawyers and civil society groups back the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in demanding urgent relief measures for workers and vulnerable citizens.
Fuel now sells between ₦1,170 and ₦1,300 per litre across the country. The NLC says the increase has deepened economic hardship for millions of Nigerians.
The union is calling for a cost-of-living allowance, a wage award for workers, tax relief, and urgent steps to revive Nigeria’s public refineries.
In a statement signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the labour body said workers are paying the price for global economic tensions.
“NLC voices the collective anguish of millions of Nigerian workers who are bearing the brutal cost of a global crisis they did not create,” Ajaero said.
He linked the current fuel spike to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has shaken global oil markets.
“Petrol prices in Nigeria have skyrocketed to between ₦1,170 and ₦1,300 per litre,” he said.
“This is a direct assault on the Nigerian people.”
Ajaero also said Nigeria remains exposed to international oil price shocks because its public refineries are not working.
“As long as Nigeria remains dependent on a market-driven pricing structure tied to global fluctuations, the country will remain hostage to international conflicts,” he said.
Civil Society Groups Support Labour Demands
Several civil society organizations and legal experts have expressed support for the NLC’s demands.
Among them are the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria.
CISLAC Executive Director Auwal Musa Rafsanjani said Nigerian leaders must focus on easing the hardship facing citizens.
“Many countries are making life easier for their citizens by providing support to cushion the impact of this global crisis,” he said in an interview reported by other news platforms.
Rafsanjani added that relief measures should also target vulnerable Nigerians who are not formally employed.
“It is not just about the workers. Women, the disabled, and the elderly also need protection and safety nets,” he said.
Meanwhile, David Babajide of the Justice and Human Rights Reforms Initiatives supported dialogue between government, labour unions, and civil society groups.
“Monitoring progress through human rights dashboards will help ensure fair distribution of relief, especially for the rural poor,” he said.
Human rights lawyer Emeka Okezie also called for immediate government action.
“Since Nigeria’s economy heavily depends on petrol prices, the consequences could be devastating for millions living in poverty,” he said.
Another lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Abdul Balogun, warned that the situation could worsen quickly.
“Many families can no longer take care of their basic needs because of economic hardship,” he said.
Similarly, former Inter‑Party Advisory Council chairman Peter Ameh said the labour union’s demands are justified.
“Fuel prices have skyrocketed, inflation is rising, and the cost of basic goods has become unbearable for many families,” he said.
Political science lecturer Christian Okeke of Nnamdi Azikiwe University also noted that global conflict is affecting Nigeria’s economy.
“The ripple effects have hit Nigeria hard,” he said.
Meanwhile, global oil prices have climbed above $103 per barrel as tensions continue in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route, remains at the center of the crisis.
Officials in the United States Department of Energy said the conflict could last for several weeks, keeping fuel prices high in the short term.
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