Organised labour is set to decide its next move on a possible nationwide strike after crucial negotiations with the Federal Government today (Tuesday), with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) demanding concrete concessions on petrol prices, minimum wage and other outstanding workers’ welfare issues.
The meeting comes amid heightened tensions between the government and labour unions following the expiration of an earlier ultimatum and a previous round of talks that ended without an agreement.
Labour leaders have warned that the outcome of the negotiations will determine whether industrial action becomes inevitable, insisting that the government must present practical proposals to address their demands.
The unions are demanding a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, tax relief for workers, immediate wage awards and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of the Federal Government’s proposed June 2027 review.
The NLC Assistant Secretary-General, Chris Onyeka, confirmed on Monday that the government had invited organised labour to resume negotiations, adding that the unions expected concrete responses to their demands.
“We expect them to come with answers to our demands, so that the meeting will not be prolonged,” Onyeka said.
He stressed that labour would not accept another round of discussions in which government representatives asked the unions to restate demands that had already been formally presented.
A source within organised labour also confirmed that the government had requested additional time to prepare for the meeting, adding that the unions would determine their next course of action after assessing its outcome.
A Trade Union Congress official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said any decision on industrial action would depend on the government’s response.
The Head of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Labour, Ann Daniel, also confirmed the planned meeting, although she noted that it could still be subject to changes.
Previous negotiations ended in deadlock
The latest meeting follows negotiations held on October 22, which ended without a breakthrough after the NLC accused the Federal Government’s delegation of arriving without the necessary authority to negotiate substantive agreements.
In a joint statement signed by the acting NLC General Secretary, Benson Upah, and TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the unions said the government delegation failed to make concrete commitments on the outstanding issues.
According to the unions, the government subsequently requested an adjournment until October 27 to allow relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to participate in the negotiations.
The unions later extended their ultimatum to October 27, warning that failure to make meaningful progress could trigger nationwide industrial action.
The NLC had initially issued a two-week ultimatum on October 8, demanding a reduction in petrol prices to the levels prevailing when the current minimum wage was signed into law in 2024, the commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage before the end of October, and the resolution of outstanding labour agreements.
Minimum wage disagreement deepens
A major point of disagreement between the government and organised labour is when negotiations should begin to replace the current N70,000 monthly minimum wage.
The Federal Government maintains that the existing wage is due for review on June 1, 2027, arguing that the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, as amended in 2024, provides for a three-year review cycle.
In a letter dated October 12, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, described demands for another review barely two years after implementation of the current wage as premature and potentially disruptive to industrial relations.
The NLC, however, insists that preparations for a new wage review should begin immediately to prevent delays in negotiations and implementation.
In a letter dated October 13, NLC President Joe Ajaero called for the nomination of representatives and the inauguration of a National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee comprising the government, organised labour and employers.
The current minimum wage followed prolonged negotiations in 2024, culminating in President Bola Tinubu signing the legislation into law on July 29, 2024. The law increased the statutory minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 monthly.
While the government has cited the 133 per cent increase as a significant adjustment for workers, labour argues that inflation, naira depreciation and rising living costs have substantially eroded its benefits.
The unions maintain that many workers continue to struggle with transportation, food, housing, healthcare and education expenses.
Petrol prices, tax relief top labour demands
Beyond the minimum wage dispute, organised labour is demanding a reduction in petrol prices, arguing that high fuel costs have increased transportation expenses and pushed up the prices of essential goods and services.
The NLC is also seeking the implementation of tax relief measures agreed with the government in 2023 and immediate wage awards to cushion workers against rising living costs.
Other unresolved issues include the implementation of the February 5, 2026, terms of 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, including issues relating to peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
The Federal Ministry of Labour has said it is engaging relevant ministries, departments and agencies to address issues within the government’s remit.
Pensioners demand N75,000 outstanding palliatives
Meanwhile, the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN) has urged the Federal Government to pay eligible retirees three months of outstanding fuel-subsidy removal palliatives totalling N75,000.
The amount represents three unpaid instalments of the N25,000 monthly palliative for eligible beneficiaries.
The demand was contained in a communiqué issued after the association’s National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on October 22, 2026. It was signed by the association’s President-General, Benjamin Maisamari Amako, and General Secretary, Franklin Erinle.
The association also called on the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to clarify the implementation of pension harmonisation, which took effect in January 2026, and make the relevant government circular available to retirees.
It urged the authorities to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to address complaints, improve communication and resolve outstanding cases involving eligible pensioners.
FEPPPAN further warned that the planned relaunch of PTAD’s ‘I Am Alive’ verification platform must not disrupt pension payments to elderly, sick or physically incapacitated retirees.
The association called for clear guidelines, adequate assistance and safeguards to ensure that eligible beneficiaries were not excluded because of difficulties completing verification procedures.
While commending President Tinubu for the timely payment of monthly pensions to retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, FEPPPAN urged the government to sustain the practice and ensure uninterrupted payments.
Pensioners raise concerns over healthcare access
The association also appealed to PTAD and the National Health Insurance Authority to simplify enrolment in the Pensioner Health Insurance Scheme by introducing assisted registration, accessible enrolment centres and support for retirees unable to travel because of age, illness or disability.
It expressed concern that administrative and technological barriers could prevent eligible pensioners from registering for and accessing healthcare benefits.
“No eligible pensioner should be denied access to the scheme because of difficulties with registration, verification or other administrative procedures,” the association said.
FEPPPAN also called for an effective complaints-resolution mechanism and clearer information on pension entitlements, verification procedures, healthcare enrolment and eligibility requirements.
The association stressed that regular pension payments and accessible healthcare remained essential to protecting retirees’ welfare and financial security amid rising living costs.
PTAD administers 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.
As organised labour prepares to assess the government’s response, the outcome of Tuesday’s negotiations could prove decisive in determining whether the dispute is resolved through dialogue or escalates into nationwide industrial action.
