The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government until Tuesday, October 27, 2026, to make meaningful progress on workers’ demands or risk further industrial action across the country.
The warning followed a meeting between organised labour and government representatives in Abuja on Thursday, October 22, which ended without a resolution.
The NLC said the government delegation arrived without the necessary mandate to negotiate substantively, leaving several issues affecting workers unresolved.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the labour union said it remained committed to dialogue but would not accept indefinite delays in addressing its demands.
The congress has directed its affiliates, state councils and civil society allies to begin preparing for possible nationwide action while awaiting the outcome of the next meeting.
Full List of the Six Demands
1. Reduction in Petrol Prices
The NLC wants the Federal Government to take measures to reduce petrol prices nationwide to the levels prevailing when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.
According to organised labour, high fuel prices have increased transportation costs and contributed to the rising prices of food and other essential goods.
The union argues that reducing petrol prices would help ease the financial pressure on workers and other Nigerians struggling with the cost of living.
2. Renegotiation of the National Minimum Wage
The labour congress is demanding the commencement of negotiations on a new national minimum wage before the end of October.
The NLC maintains that the current ₦70,000 minimum wage has lost purchasing power because of rising living costs and the depreciation of the naira.
It wants the government to begin discussions aimed at establishing a wage that better reflects workers’ basic needs and prevailing economic conditions.
3. Implementation of Agreed Tax Relief Measures
The union is also asking the Federal Government to implement tax relief measures previously agreed upon with organised labour.
The demand is intended to provide additional financial relief to workers facing pressure from higher living expenses.
The NLC has argued that tax relief, alongside measures addressing fuel prices and wages, is necessary to reduce the burden on Nigerian households.
4. Implementation of the JOHESU Settlement
The NLC wants the government to implement the outstanding terms of settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) on February 5, 2026.
The dispute forms part of the unresolved labour issues affecting health-sector workers.
Organised labour is insisting that agreements reached through negotiations should be implemented rather than left outstanding.
5. Payment of Outstanding Wage Awards
The congress is demanding action on wage awards raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC).
Wage awards are intended to provide additional payments to eligible workers under agreed arrangements. Labour wants the outstanding issues addressed as part of a broader effort to improve workers’ welfare.
The NLC has included the matter among the issues requiring a concrete response from the government.
6. Resolution of Peculiar and Hazard Allowances
The final demand concerns outstanding issues involving peculiar allowances and hazard allowances under the JPSNC’s demands.
These allowances relate to specific conditions, responsibilities or risks associated with particular public-sector jobs.
The NLC wants the government to resolve the outstanding matters as part of its commitments to public-sector workers.
Why the NLC Is Threatening Nationwide Action
The latest warning follows the expiration of an earlier two-week ultimatum issued to the Federal Government in October.
The NLC said the October 22 meeting failed to produce concrete commitments because the government delegation lacked the authority required to negotiate substantively on the issues.
The Minister of Labour subsequently requested that the meeting be adjourned until October 27 to allow relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to participate in further discussions.
Organised labour said it would report the outcome of the meeting to its leadership organs, which would determine the next course of action if the government failed to make meaningful progress.
The NLC has also urged workers and members of the public to remain calm while preparations continue for possible industrial action.
What Happens Next?
The next meeting on October 27 is expected to provide another opportunity for the Federal Government and organised labour to resolve the outstanding demands.
If the talks produce meaningful progress, the parties could continue negotiations without escalating the dispute. However, the NLC has warned that its leadership will consider further steps if the meeting fails to deliver results.
As of October 23, the union had warned of possible nationwide action, but a nationwide strike had not been confirmed in the reports reviewed.
The outcome of the next meeting will therefore be important for workers, public services and Nigerians concerned about fuel prices, wages and the rising cost of living.