Labour, FG resume talks as strike threat looms

Nkereuwem Effiong

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are set to resume negotiations with the Federal Government on Tuesday amid threats of nationwide industrial action over petrol prices, workers’ wages and unresolved labour agreements.

Organised labour says the outcome of the meeting will determine its next move as its extended ultimatum to the government expires.

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 government’s proposed June 2027 review.

The NLC’s Assistant Secretary-General, Chris Onyeka, confirmed on Monday that the government had invited the union to the meeting. He said labour expected concrete responses to its demands rather than a fresh round of discussions.

“We expect them to come with answers to our demands, so that the meeting will not be prolonged,” Onyeka said. “We don’t expect them to come and start asking us again, ‘What are your demands?’ The demands have already been tabled before them.”

A source within organised labour said the government had requested more time to prepare for the talks, while a Trade Union Congress official said the outcome would determine whether the unions would proceed with industrial action.

The Head of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Labour, Ann Daniel, also confirmed the planned meeting, saying it would hold as scheduled unless circumstances changed.

The talks follow an October 22 meeting that ended without an agreement. Organised labour said the government delegation lacked the authority to negotiate substantively and make concrete commitments, prompting the government to request an adjournment to enable relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to attend.

In a joint statement signed by the acting NLC General Secretary, Benson Upah, and the TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the unions said they would decide on further action after assessing the outcome of the renewed negotiations.

The NLC had 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, negotiations for a new minimum wage before the end of October and the resolution of outstanding labour agreements.

The ultimatum initially expired on October 22 but was extended to October 27 following the inconclusive talks.

A major point of disagreement is when negotiations should begin 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 the three-year review cycle under the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, as amended in 2024.

In a letter dated October 12, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, described an earlier review as premature and potentially disruptive to industrial relations.

The NLC disagrees and wants preparations for a new wage review to begin immediately. Its president, Joe Ajaero, argued in a letter dated October 13 that the timetable under the original 2019 legislation remained relevant despite the 2024 amendment.

The union has called for the nomination of representatives and the inauguration of a National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee comprising the government, organised labour and employers.

President Bola Tinubu signed the current minimum wage legislation into law on July 29, 2024, raising the statutory minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 after prolonged negotiations.

While the government has cited the 133 per cent increase as evidence of its adjustment for workers, labour argues that inflation, the depreciation of the naira and rising living costs have eroded the wage’s value.

Beyond minimum wage negotiations, the NLC is demanding lower petrol prices, the implementation of tax relief measures agreed with the government in 2023 and immediate wage awards to cushion workers against rising 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, as well as demands concerning peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.

The Federal Ministry of Labour said it was engaging relevant ministries, departments and agencies to address issues within the government’s remit.

Pensioners demand N75,000 outstanding palliative

Meanwhile, the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to pay eligible retirees three months of outstanding fuel-subsidy removal palliatives totalling N75,000.

The association made the demand in a communiqué issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on October 22, 2026. The document was signed by its President-General, Benjamin Maisamari Amako, and General Secretary, Franklin Erinle.

The palliative comprises three outstanding monthly payments of N25,000 for eligible pensioners.

The association also urged 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 called for a stakeholders’ meeting to address complaints, improve communication and resolve outstanding cases.

The association further urged PTAD to ensure that the planned relaunch of its ‘I Am Alive’ pension verification platform did not disrupt payments to elderly, sick or physically incapacitated retirees. It called for clear guidelines and adequate assistance to prevent eligible pensioners from being excluded.

While commending President Tinubu for the timely payment of monthly pensions to retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, the association urged the government to sustain the practice and ensure uninterrupted payments.

On healthcare, it called on PTAD and the National Health Insurance Authority to simplify enrolment in the Pensioner Health Insurance Scheme by providing assisted registration, accessible enrolment centres and support for retirees unable to travel because of age, illness or disability.

The association warned that administrative and technological barriers could prevent eligible pensioners from accessing healthcare benefits. It urged the authorities to identify and assist retirees who had yet to enrol and establish an effective complaints-resolution mechanism.

It also called for clear and accessible information on pension entitlements, verification procedures, healthcare enrolment and channels for resolving complaints.

The association said transparent pension administration and regular payments were essential to protecting retirees’ welfare and financial security amid rising living costs.