A showdown is imminent as the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, issued a fresh two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to immediately reduce the pump price of petrol and begin renegotiation of the national minimum wage.
The decision was contained in a communiqué signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, after an emergency joint meeting of the National Executive Council, NEC, and Central Working Committee, CWC, held on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Ajaero, the ultimatum takes effect from Friday, October 9, 2026. If government fails to act, Labour says it will take “remedial steps” as directed by its organs – a veiled threat of a nationwide strike.
What Labour Wants:
1. Reduction of petrol price to the level it was when the current N70,000 minimum wage was signed in 2024.
2. Immediate commencement of renegotiation for a new living minimum wage before end of October.
3. Payment of outstanding wage awards to cushion hardship.
4. Implementation of agreements with health workers (JOHESU) and public sector unions.
Ajaero said the current N70,000 minimum wage has been wiped out by naira depreciation and inflation, leaving Nigerian workers unable to afford food, transport and rent.
Dateline Nigeria reports that this ultimatum is coming at a time when many households are already struggling, and the outcome will affect every Nigerian directly:
If FG cuts fuel price…
Petrol price is the single biggest driver of cost of living. A reduction will mean:
- Lower transport fares for danfo, keke and interstate buses
- Drop in food prices, because food is transported by road
- Lower cost for small businesses running generators
If FG agrees to new ninimum wage…
A new minimum wage above N70,000 would increase take-home pay for federal, state and private sector workers. However, it may also force states that are yet to fully implement the current wage to struggle, and could push up prices if not matched with productivity.
If FG ignores the ultimatum…
If government fails to act by October 23, 2026, the NLC may call out workers. What that means for you:
- Banks, hospitals (except emergency units), schools and government offices may shut down
- Fuel stations and electricity workers may join, leading to scarcity
- Interstate travel may be disrupted
- Markets may experience panic buying
The last time NLC declared a similar action, the economy lost an estimated billions of naira daily, with the North – which depends heavily on interstate truck movement for food supply – feeling the impact most.
Labour says its affiliates should remain on high alert.
For now, all eyes are on Aso Rock – will it negotiate or will Nigerians face another round of nationwide shutdown?