The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have directed their affiliate unions and state councils to prepare for possible nationwide industrial action following the failure of negotiations with the Federal Government over unresolved workers’ demands.

The unions issued the warning on Thursday after a meeting with government representatives at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja, giving the government until Tuesday, October 27, to demonstrate its commitment to resolving the outstanding issues.

In a joint statement signed by the NLC Acting General Secretary, Comrade Benson Upah, and the TUC Secretary-General, Comrade Nuhu Toro, organised labour expressed disappointment that the government’s delegation lacked the necessary authority to negotiate substantive solutions.

The unions said the meeting ended without concrete commitments, leaving workers’ demands unresolved. They disclosed that the Minister of Labour and Employment had requested an adjournment until October 27 to enable the government to bring relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to the negotiating table.

However, the labour centres warned that the postponement must not be used to prolong negotiations without tangible results. They reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue but insisted that the government must demonstrate sincerity and take practical steps to address workers’ grievances.

The unions consequently directed their affiliates, state councils and civil society allies to remain on red alert and commence preparations for possible nationwide industrial action, depending on the outcome of the next meeting. They also appealed to workers and members of the public to remain calm while the dispute is being pursued through legitimate means.

Five Major Issues Behind the Dispute

The dispute centres on five key demands: a reduction in petrol prices, fresh negotiations on the national minimum wage, implementation of agreed tax relief measures, fulfilment of the settlement with health workers, and resolution of outstanding demands by public-sector workers.

Organised labour is calling for a reduction in petrol prices to the levels that prevailed when the current national minimum wage was enacted in 2024. The unions argue that rising fuel costs and the increasing prices of essential goods and services have significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power.

They are also demanding the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage and the implementation of previously agreed tax relief measures to ease the financial burden on Nigerian workers.

Another major issue is the implementation of the February 5, 2026, Terms of Settlement involving the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU).

The labour centres are further pressing for the resolution of demands submitted by the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC), including issues relating to peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.

The NLC and TUC maintained that the government must honour existing agreements and take concrete measures to cushion the impact of rising living costs on workers.

Fresh Threat Follows Earlier Ultimatum

The latest development comes after the NLC issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government on October 9, demanding action on petrol prices, minimum wage negotiations, tax relief and outstanding agreements with workers.

The ultimatum also covered the implementation of the JOHESU settlement, the resolution of JPSNC demands and the payment of wage awards intended to mitigate the effects of rising living costs.

The Congress maintained that the current minimum wage has lost substantial purchasing power amid the depreciation of the naira and persistent increases in the cost of essential goods and services.

With negotiations expected to resume on October 27, attention is now focused on whether the Federal Government will present concrete proposals capable of resolving the dispute.

Although the unions have not formally declared a nationwide strike, their directive to affiliates and state councils to prepare for possible industrial action has heightened the prospect of a nationwide labour confrontation if the next round of negotiations fails to produce a satisfactory outcome.