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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have threatened possible nationwide industrial action following a deadlock in talks with the Federal Government over outstanding demands by organised labour.
The unions said their decision on the next line of action would depend on the outcome of another meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, warning that workers could be mobilised if the government failed to make meaningful progress.
The warning followed a meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Labour in Abuja on Thursday, October 22, where representatives of organised labour and the Federal Government discussed issues affecting workers’ welfare and the country’s economic situation.
In a joint statement signed by the NLC General Secretary, Benson Upah, and the TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the unions expressed disappointment over the outcome of the discussions, alleging that the government delegation lacked the authority to negotiate substantively on the issues presented.
“No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved,” the unions said.
Labour lists outstanding demands
Among the key demands presented by organised labour were a reduction in petrol prices to 2024 levels, renegotiation of the national minimum wage, implementation of agreed tax relief measures and the resolution of outstanding disputes involving health workers and other public servants.
The unions argued that the issues required urgent attention, particularly amid rising living costs and growing concerns over workers’ purchasing power.
They also called for the implementation of outstanding agreements affecting public servants, including issues relating to peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
The Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) has outstanding issues concerning allowances and other employment-related benefits, while the dispute involving the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) centres on unresolved terms of settlement affecting health-sector workers.
Next meeting scheduled for October 27
According to the statement, the Minister of Labour requested that the meeting be adjourned until October 27 to allow the government to prepare adequately for further negotiations.
The unions said the minister also indicated that relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies should attend the next meeting to ensure that the outstanding issues could be addressed.
Organised labour said it remained willing to engage the government through dialogue but warned against further delays in resolving the demands.
“We will report back to our organs, and if no meaningful progress is made on Tuesday, the relevant organs of the NLC will decide the next line of action,” the statement added.
The unions said their affiliates, state councils and civil society allies had been directed to remain vigilant and begin preparations for possible nationwide industrial action while awaiting the outcome of the next meeting.
However, they appealed to workers and members of the public to remain calm, expressing hope that the government would use the rescheduled talks to address their concerns.
Minimum wage, tax relief dominate concerns
The dispute comes amid continuing concerns over the cost of living, fuel prices, workers’ earnings and the implementation of agreements reached following recent economic reforms.
Nigeria’s national minimum wage was increased from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 under the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024, following negotiations involving the Federal Government, organised labour and other stakeholders.
The renewed demand for wage renegotiation reflects labour’s call for further discussions on workers’ earnings in the face of prevailing economic pressures.
The unions are also seeking the implementation of agreed tax relief measures, alongside the resolution of outstanding disputes affecting health workers and other public servants.
The NLC and TUC said they would attend the October 27 meeting in the hope of securing concrete commitments from the government.
A decision on whether to embark on nationwide industrial action will depend on the outcome of the discussions and subsequent deliberations by the unions’ respective organs.
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