The Federal Government and organised labour are set to resume negotiations on Tuesday over rising petrol prices, workers’ wages and other unresolved welfare issues, with the outcome expected to determine whether unions proceed with threatened nationwide industrial action.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are demanding concrete proposals from the government as their extended ultimatum expires on October 27, 2026.
The unions are seeking 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 Assistant Secretary-General, Chris Onyeka, confirmed the meeting to The PUNCH on Monday, saying the government had invited the union to further discussions.
He said labour expected the government to respond to its existing demands rather than restart discussions without presenting concrete proposals.
“We expect them to come with answers to our demands, so that the meeting will not be prolonged,” Onyeka said.
A source within organised labour also confirmed that the government had requested additional time to prepare for the meeting.
A TUC official, who spoke anonymously to The PUNCH, said the outcome would determine the unions’ next course of action.
The Head of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Labour, Ann Daniel, also confirmed that the meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, provided there were no changes.
Previous negotiations ended without agreement
The latest meeting follows negotiations held on October 22, which ended without an agreement.
In a joint statement, the acting NLC General Secretary, Benson Upah, and TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, accused the government delegation of arriving without the authority required to negotiate meaningfully.
The unions said no concrete commitments were secured, leaving their demands unresolved.
The government subsequently requested an adjournment to allow relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to attend the next session.
The NLC later extended its ultimatum to October 27, warning that nationwide industrial action could follow if the government failed to make meaningful progress.
The union has also directed its affiliates and state councils to prepare for possible action.
Labour demands new minimum wage negotiations
A major point of disagreement between the government and organised labour concerns when negotiations should begin for a new national minimum wage.
The Federal Government maintains that the current N70,000 minimum wage, introduced in 2024, is due for review on June 1, 2027.
The government argues that the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, as amended in 2024, provides for a three-year review cycle.
In a letter dated October 12, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, described a fresh review barely two years after implementation of the current wage as premature and potentially disruptive to industrial relations.
However, the NLC insists that preparations should begin immediately.
In a letter dated October 13, NLC President Joe Ajaero argued 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 involving the government, organised labour and employers.
It maintains that starting the administrative process early would allow sufficient time for negotiations and prevent delays in implementing a new wage.
President Bola Tinubu signed the N70,000 minimum wage legislation into law on July 29, 2024, increasing the statutory minimum from N30,000 following prolonged negotiations.
While the government has cited the 133 per cent increase as evidence of its adjustment for workers, labour argues that the depreciation of the naira and rising living costs have eroded the gains.
Ajaero has maintained that workers are struggling to afford transportation, food, housing, healthcare and education despite the higher minimum wage.
Petrol prices, tax relief dominate demands
Petrol prices remain a major source of disagreement, with labour arguing that higher fuel costs have increased transportation expenses and pushed up the prices of food and other essential goods.
The NLC wants petrol prices reduced to the levels prevailing when the N70,000 minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.
It is also demanding the implementation of tax relief measures agreed with the government in 2023 and immediate wage awards to cushion workers against rising living costs.
Other outstanding issues include the implementation of the February 5, 2026, terms of settlement involving the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals.
Labour is also seeking action on demands raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, including 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 palliatives
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 amount represents three months of the N25,000 monthly payment for eligible beneficiaries.
The demands were contained in a communiqué issued after the association’s 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 association also asked 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 said the exercise should improve monthly benefits for eligible pensioners and called for a stakeholders’ meeting to address complaints and resolve outstanding cases.
The association further urged PTAD to ensure that the planned relaunch of its ‘I Am Alive’ verification platform did not disrupt pension payments to elderly, sick or physically incapacitated retirees.
It called for clear guidelines, adequate assistance and safeguards to prevent eligible beneficiaries from being excluded from payments.
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.
Pensioners seek easier access to healthcare
On healthcare, the association called on PTAD and the National Health Insurance Authority to simplify enrolment in the Pensioner Health Insurance Scheme.
It recommended assisted registration, accessible enrolment centres and support for retirees who cannot travel because of age, illness or disability.
The association expressed concern that administrative and technological difficulties could prevent eligible pensioners from registering for and accessing healthcare benefits.
It urged the authorities to identify retirees who had yet to enrol and help them complete the process.
The association also called for an effective complaints-resolution mechanism and clearer information on pension entitlements, verification procedures, healthcare enrolment and eligibility requirements.
It stressed that no eligible pensioner should lose access to benefits because of registration difficulties or other administrative barriers.
The association said prompt pension payments and accessible healthcare remained essential to protecting retirees’ welfare and financial security amid rising living costs.
It urged the President and relevant authorities to consider its resolutions favourably and ensure that pensioners receive their entitlements without unnecessary delays or interruptions.
PTAD administers pension liabilities for eligible federal public-sector retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, while its ‘I Am Alive’ platform is used to verify beneficiaries’ continued eligibility for pension payments.
