By JOAN NWAGWU

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to reduce petrol prices and commence renegotiation of the national minimum wage.

The ultimatum is contained in a communiqué signed by NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, after a joint meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) and Central Working Committee (CWC) on Thursday in Abuja.

The meeting deliberated on the state of the nation, economic hardship, rising cost of living and what the NLC described as existential threats confronting workers and the masses.

“The joint meeting issues a two-week ultimatum to the federal government, beginning from Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.

“Within this period, government is expected to take measures to reduce the price of petrol across the nation and commence the process of renegotiating a new national minimum wage.

“Failure of which the NLC will be compelled to take remedial steps as would be directed by the relevant organs,” Ajaero said.

He said the current national minimum wage had been eroded by the depreciation of the naira and rising cost of living, leaving workers unable to afford basic necessities.

Ajaero demanded that the Federal Government would commence renegotiation of the minimum wage before the end of October, saying workers deserved a living wage that reflected prevailing economic realities.

He also called for an immediate reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to ease the pressure on workers and other Nigerians.

According to him, high petrol prices have driven up transportation fares and the cost of food and other essential goods, worsening the hardship facing Nigerians.

Ajaero urged the Federal Government to reduce petrol prices to the level prevailing when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.

He further demanded implementation of the Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) on Feb. 5, 2026.

The NLC president also demanded implementation of the outstanding demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC), as well as agreed tax relief measures.

He called for immediate payment of wage awards to workers to cushion the impact of rising living costs, saying government must provide relief to workers facing worsening economic pressure.

Ajaero urged workers and NLC affiliates to remain organised and prepared to respond if the Federal Government failed to meet the demands within the stipulated period.

He reaffirmed the NLC’s commitment to defending workers’ interests, urging affiliates and progressive allies to remain on high alert. (NAN)

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