Strike Looms as NLC Rejects FG Response to 14-Day Ultimatum

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the Federal Government’s response to its demands for urgent economic relief and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

The disagreement has raised concerns about a possible nationwide labour dispute as the union’s 14-day ultimatum approaches its deadline.

In a letter dated October 13, 2026, and addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, the NLC faulted the government’s position that negotiations for a new minimum wage would be premature before June 2027.

The union, led by its president, Joe Ajaero, insisted that preparations for a fresh wage agreement should begin immediately.

It also demanded lower petrol prices, tax relief, immediate wage awards and the implementation of outstanding agreements affecting public and health sector workers.

Although the NLC did not formally announce a strike in the letter, the dispute could escalate if both sides fail to reach an agreement before the ultimatum expires.

NLC demands immediate minimum wage negotiations

The Federal Government has maintained that Nigeria’s current national minimum wage of ₦70,000 is due for review on June 1, 2027.

The wage was signed into law on July 29, 2024, following negotiations that increased the previous minimum wage of ₦30,000.

According to the government, the law provides for a minimum wage review every three years. It therefore considers an earlier review premature.

In its response, the Ministry of Labour argued that beginning another review less than two years after implementing the current wage would conflict with the law and disrupt established industrial relations procedures.

However, the NLC disputed that interpretation of the National Minimum Wage Act.

The union argued that the statutory timeline should be calculated from the commencement of the original 2019 Act, which was signed into law on April 18, 2019.

According to the Congress, the original legislation made a review due by April 18, 2024, and the subsequent amendment did not remove that timeline.

The NLC also maintained that negotiations should begin at least six months before a new wage takes effect. Based on that position, it argued that the process should commence by October 17, 2026.

The union clarified that it was not demanding the immediate implementation of a new minimum wage. Instead, it wants the government to begin the administrative process, including calling for nominations, inaugurating a tripartite committee and setting the negotiation agenda.

FG cites economic relief programmes

In its response to the labour union, the Federal Government highlighted several initiatives intended to ease the effects of economic hardship.

These include the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative, food security interventions and other social support programmes.

The government also said the Ministry of Labour was engaging relevant ministries, departments and agencies to address demands within its jurisdiction.

Dingyadi assured the NLC that the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee would be convened at the appropriate time to begin negotiations for the next review.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to dialogue, decent work and workers’ welfare. The minister also urged the union to maintain cooperation in the interest of industrial peace.

However, the NLC argued that the government’s response failed to address the immediate concerns affecting workers.

In its letter, the Congress acknowledged the Ministry’s relatively prompt reply but said a quick response without concrete action would do little to resolve the dispute.

The union described the government’s position as incorrect in its interpretation of the law and its assessment of the economic realities facing Nigerian workers.

NLC seeks petrol price reduction and tax relief

Beyond the minimum wage dispute, the NLC is demanding immediate measures to reduce the cost of living.

The union wants petrol prices reduced to the level prevailing when the current ₦70,000 minimum wage was signed into law in July 2024.

It also called for the implementation of tax relief measures agreed upon in 2023 and the introduction of immediate wage awards to cushion the impact of rising prices.

According to the Congress, inflation, the depreciation of the naira and higher living costs have eroded workers’ purchasing power.

The NLC argued that although the current minimum wage represented an increase of more than 133 per cent over the previous ₦30,000 rate, the rise had not translated into a corresponding improvement in workers’ living standards.

It blamed rising petrol prices for contributing to higher transportation costs and increases in the prices of essential goods and services.

The union said many workers were struggling to afford basic needs, including food, housing, healthcare, education and transportation.

Labour questions effectiveness of CNG initiative

The NLC also questioned whether the Federal Government’s CNG initiative had delivered the promised relief to workers.

It alleged that inadequate infrastructure, limited gas supplies and shortages of vehicle conversion kits had restricted the programme’s benefits.

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The union argued that workers needed immediate assistance rather than policies whose benefits might take time to reach households.

It therefore urged the government to introduce direct economic relief measures while addressing the wider cost-of-living crisis.

The Congress warned that continued delays could further worsen the financial difficulties facing Nigerian workers.

NLC demands action on health and public sector agreements

The labour union also called for the implementation of outstanding agreements involving the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC).

These demands form part of the issues the NLC wants the government to address alongside petrol prices, tax relief and wage awards.

The Congress maintained that the government had the capacity to provide relief if it demonstrated the political will to act.

It also warned that dialogue without firm deadlines and immediate measures would not resolve workers’ concerns.

The NLC said it remained determined to pursue what it described as a fairer and more equitable society.

Strike threat depends on outcome of negotiations

The disagreement leaves the Federal Government and the NLC with differing positions on when negotiations for a new minimum wage should begin and what economic relief workers need immediately.

While the government insists that the next wage review should follow the statutory timetable, the union argues that preparatory negotiations must start earlier to avoid delays and the accumulation of wage arrears.

The NLC has also made clear that its demands extend beyond minimum wage negotiations to petrol prices, tax relief and outstanding labour agreements.

With the union’s 14-day ultimatum approaching its deadline, further discussions between both sides could determine whether the dispute is resolved or escalates into industrial action.

As of the time covered by the report, the NLC had rejected the government’s response but had not formally declared a nationwide strike.