Organised labour is expected to determine its next course of action following a critical meeting with the Federal Government scheduled for Tuesday (today). The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are demanding concrete government proposals on petrol pricing, wage negotiations and other unresolved workers’ welfare issues amid growing calls for nationwide industrial action.
The meeting follows an earlier round of discussions that ended without a breakthrough and is widely viewed as a decisive opportunity for the government to address labour’s concerns before the expiration of the unions’ ultimatum.
Among their key demands, the NLC and TUC are seeking a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, tax relief measures for workers, immediate wage awards and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of the government’s proposed June 2027 review timeline.
Meanwhile, the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN) has called on the Federal Government to settle outstanding fuel-subsidy palliative payments owed to eligible retirees. The association is demanding the payment of three months’ arrears amounting to N75,000 and improved access to healthcare benefits for pensioners.
Labour Expects Concrete Government Proposals
The NLC has stated that it expects the Federal Government to present specific proposals when negotiations resume on Tuesday. The union insists that discussions should focus on responding to existing demands rather than reopening issues that have already been formally submitted.
Reacting on Monday, NLC Assistant Secretary-General, Chris Onyeka, confirmed that the government had invited organised labour to the meeting.
“We expect them to come with answers to our demands so that the meeting will not be prolonged. We do not expect them to return and ask what our demands are. Those demands have already been presented,” Onyeka said.
A source within organised labour also confirmed that the government requested additional time to prepare for the negotiations.
“The government pleaded for more time. We will meet with them tomorrow (today), and after that we will take our final decision,” the source said.
Similarly, a TUC official, who requested anonymity, stated that labour’s next move would depend entirely on the outcome of the talks.
“Whatever action we take will be based on the outcome of tomorrow’s meeting,” the official said.
The Head of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Labour, Ann Daniel, also confirmed the meeting, saying it would proceed as planned unless there were unforeseen changes.
Previous Talks Ended Without Agreement
The renewed negotiations follow the October 22 meeting between government representatives and organised labour, which concluded without any agreement.
According to the NLC, the government delegation lacked the authority required to engage meaningfully on key issues such as petrol prices, wage negotiations and unresolved labour matters in the public sector.
In a joint statement signed by acting NLC General Secretary Benson Upah and TUC Secretary-General Nuhu Toro, the unions expressed disappointment with the outcome of the meeting.
“Regrettably, the government delegation arrived unprepared and without the necessary mandate to engage substantively on these issues. No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding matters remain unresolved,” the statement said.
The unions noted that the government subsequently requested an adjournment to allow relevant ministers and heads of ministries, departments and agencies to participate in the next round of talks.
According to the statement, the Minister of Labour sought a postponement to Tuesday, October 27, 2026, to facilitate a more productive engagement involving all relevant government stakeholders.
The NLC has since directed its affiliates and state councils to prepare for possible nationwide action should the government fail to demonstrate meaningful progress during the resumed discussions.
The union said its relevant organs would review the outcome of the meeting before deciding on any further action.
Key Issues in Dispute
The dispute extends beyond the timing of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
Organised labour is demanding:
A reduction in petrol prices.
Tax relief measures for workers.
Immediate wage awards to cushion economic hardship.
Implementation of outstanding agreements affecting health-sector employees and other public-sector workers.
On October 8, the NLC issued a two-week ultimatum, demanding that petrol prices be returned to levels prevailing when the current minimum wage was enacted in 2024. The union also called for the commencement of minimum wage negotiations before the end of October and the resolution of outstanding labour agreements.
Although the ultimatum expired on October 22, labour later extended the deadline to October 27 while discussions continued.
Minimum Wage Review Timeline
A major point of contention is the timing of negotiations to replace the current N70,000 monthly minimum wage introduced in 2024.
The Federal Government maintains that the wage is due for review on June 1, 2027, citing provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, as amended in 2024, which establishes a three-year review cycle.
In a letter dated October 12, Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Muhammad Dingyadi described attempts to reopen negotiations less than two years after implementation as premature and potentially disruptive to industrial relations.
The NLC disagrees. In a letter dated October 13, NLC President Joe Ajaero argued that preparations for a new wage review should begin immediately. The union is seeking the inauguration of a National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee comprising representatives of government, organised labour and employers.
According to labour, an early start to the administrative process would create sufficient time for consultations and negotiations, thereby preventing delays in implementing a new wage structure.
Labour Raises Concerns Over Rising Living Costs
The N70,000 minimum wage emerged from negotiations involving the Federal Government, organised labour and the organised private sector. President Bola Tinubu signed the legislation into law on July 29, 2024, increasing the statutory minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 after protracted negotiations.
While the government points to the 133 per cent increase as evidence of a significant adjustment, labour argues that inflation, rising fuel prices and the depreciation of the naira have substantially eroded the gains.
Ajaero maintains that many workers continue to struggle with the rising cost of transportation, food, housing, healthcare and education despite the wage increase.
Petrol prices remain a central issue in the dispute, with labour arguing that higher fuel costs have increased transportation expenses and driven up the prices of food and other essential commodities.
The NLC is therefore demanding a return to petrol price levels that existed when the N70,000 minimum wage was introduced. It is also calling for the implementation of tax relief measures agreed upon with the government in 2023, as well as immediate wage awards to help workers cope with rising living costs.
Other unresolved issues include the implementation of the February 5, 2026, settlement involving the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals. Labour is also seeking action on demands raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, particularly regarding peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
The Federal Ministry of Labour said it continues to engage relevant ministries, departments and agencies to address matters within the government’s jurisdiction.
Pensioners Demand Payment of Outstanding Entitlements
Separately, FEPPPAN has called on the Federal Government to settle outstanding pension-related obligations, including three months of unpaid N25,000 monthly subsidy-removal palliative payments owed to eligible pensioners.
The demand was contained in a communiqué issued after the association’s National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on October 22, 2026. The communiqué was signed by President-General Benjamin Maisamari Amako and General Secretary Franklin Erinle.
The association also urged the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to provide clarity on the implementation of pension harmonisation introduced in January 2026 and to make the relevant government circular available to retirees.
According to FEPPPAN, the harmonisation exercise should improve monthly pension benefits for eligible retirees. The association also called for a stakeholders’ meeting to address complaints, enhance communication and resolve outstanding cases.
Additionally, FEPPPAN urged PTAD to ensure that the planned relaunch of its “I Am Alive” verification platform does not disrupt payments to elderly, sick or physically challenged pensioners. It requested clear implementation guidelines, adequate support systems and safeguards to prevent beneficiaries from being excluded.
While commending President Tinubu for the regular payment of pensions under the Defined Benefit Scheme, the association urged the government to sustain the practice and ensure uninterrupted disbursements.
Call for Better Healthcare Access
On healthcare, FEPPPAN called on both PTAD and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to simplify enrollment procedures for the Pensioner Health Insurance Scheme.
The association recommended assisted registration, more accessible enrolment centres and dedicated support for retirees who are unable to travel because of age, illness or disability.
It warned that administrative and technological challenges could prevent many eligible pensioners from accessing healthcare benefits and urged authorities to identify and assist retirees who are yet to enrol.
“No eligible pensioner should be denied access to the scheme because of difficulties associated with registration, verification or other administrative procedures,” the association stated.
FEPPPAN also advocated the establishment of an effective complaints-resolution mechanism and called for clearer communication on pension entitlements, verification procedures, healthcare enrolment requirements and available support channels.
The association stressed that transparent and responsive pension administration is essential to safeguarding the welfare, dignity and financial security of retirees, particularly amid current economic pressures.
It concluded by urging the President and relevant government agencies to ensure the timely payment of all pension entitlements and to give prompt consideration to the resolutions contained in its communiqué.
PTAD remains responsible for administering pension liabilities for eligible federal public-sector retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, while its “I Am Alive” platform is used to verify beneficiaries’ continued eligibility for pension payments.
