Organised labour has told its state councils and allies to start preparing for possible nationwide action after talks with the Federal Government on petrol prices and the minimum wage ended without a deal.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) made this known in a joint statement.
The TUC is the second main labour centre, alongside the NLC.
They said labour leaders met government officials on October 22, 2026 and presented their demands in good faith.
The demands include a cut in petrol prices to 2024 levels.
They also include a renegotiation of the national minimum wage and the implementation of the agreed tax relief.
In addition, labour wants the terms of settlement signed with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to be honoured.
It also wants the demands of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) on peculiar allowance, wage award and hazard allowance to be met.
The wage demand has a history.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 into law after tense negotiations with labour.
The amended law allows the wage to be reviewed every three years.
Government Delegation Came Unprepared
According to the unions, the talks produced no result.
The unions said the issues are still outstanding after the meeting.
The statement was signed by the Acting Secretary General of the NLC, Benson Upah.
“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,” it read in part.
Labour said the Federal Government asked for an adjournment of the meeting to Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
The government said it needed time to make proper arrangements for a productive session.
This includes bringing together all the relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies.
The NLC said it remains committed to dialogue.
However, it said it will not accept indefinite delay.
“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,” it said.
Labour Tells Workers To Stay Alert
Meanwhile, the unions called on Nigerian workers and the general public to remain calm and resolute.
They said they will attend the next meeting “believing that government will deliver on each of the workers’ demands”.
“We assure all that we shall continue to pursue the interests of workers and the masses through every legitimate means available,” the statement added.
At the same time, labour told its members to be ready.
“However, we urge all affiliates of NLC; all state councils and our civil society allies to be at alert and start mobilising for a possible action across the nation while we hope that the tenets of our demands are met by the government,” it said.
The NLC is the main umbrella body of Nigerian workers’ unions. More details are on its official website.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment oversees labour matters for the government.
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