66th Independence: We stand at crossroads of full-scale survival crisis- NLC

Says May 2023 petrol price increase a “systematic assault on the working class”

Demands wage increase, petrol price cut

Seeks reduction in cost of governance and greater transparency

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded an immediate reduction in the price of petrol, a nationwide wage award for workers and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage, as it decried what it described as a worsening survival crisis in Nigeria.

In an Independence Day statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the NLC said the real value of workers’ wages had been eroded by inflation, while rising petrol and transportation costs had pushed up the prices of food, school fees, rent and other necessities.

“We stand at the crossroads of a full-scale survival crisis. The real value of wages has been devoured by structural inflation. Petrol now sells at ₦1,430 per litre or higher in major cities and far more in remote areas,” the statement said.

The NLC said the May 2023 petrol price increase was a “systematic assault on the working class” and questioned the use of savings from the removal of the subsidy.

“Government claimed subsidy removal would free up resources for infrastructure and social services. Three years later, petrol prices have multiplied several times over, yet the promised infrastructure and social services remain mirages. Where exactly did the subsidy savings go? Nigerians deserve an answer, and they deserve it now,” it said.

The labour union also criticised Nigeria’s reliance on imported refined petroleum despite being Africa’s largest oil producer, saying the situation had left the working class exposed to fluctuations in international oil prices.

The NLC said its first demand was for the government to immediately seek ways to reduce petrol prices, arguing that transportation costs were a major channel through which inflation affected Nigerians.

“Without cutting this chain, any effort to ease the suffering of the people is futile,” it said.

It also demanded the immediate implementation of a nationwide wage award for workers in the federal, state and local governments.

 “A wage award is not charity. It is an emergency intervention against the collapse of real income,” the NLC said.

It further demanded the implementation of tax relief agreed upon during the October 2023 dialogue between the government and labour, saying the tax incentives contained in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both sides had not been implemented.

On wages, the NLC demanded the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to formulate and legislate a new wage standard for 2027 before the end of the year.

“The current ₦70,000 minimum wage was already destroyed by inflation before it was implemented,” it said.

The union also called for a reduction in the cost of governance and greater transparency, arguing that government must lead by example when workers are being asked to tighten their belts.

Beyond its immediate demands, the NLC called for increased investment in roads and social infrastructure, as well as improvements in hospitals, schools and other social services.

It also called for the creation of opportunities for young people, saying they should “see hope instead of being preached to about hope”.

On insecurity, the labour centre said violence had worsened the macroeconomic situation and threatened national stability. It said nearly 2,000 Nigerians died from violence in the first quarter of 2026, adding that farmers, teachers and doctors were unable to work in some places.

The NLC linked poverty, unemployment, desperation and inequality to violence and crime, arguing that “without addressing distributive justice, insecurity cannot be cured, and without curing insecurity, no economic recovery is possible.”

As political campaigns begin ahead of the 2027 general elections, the NLC warned political forces against manipulating elections, intimidating voters or using divisive rhetoric to incite ethnic and religious antagonism.

It said it would, at the appropriate time, use its Workers’ Charter to state which policies and candidates it considers deserving of the support of the working class.

However, it stressed that workers have the right to independent political thoughts, judgement and choice.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress will always stand on the side of workers, fighting to the end for decent wages, safe workplaces, and a life of dignity,” Ajaero said.