Nigeria’s organised labour has given the Federal Government until Tuesday, October 27, to make progress on workers’ demands, warning that failure to reach an understanding could trigger nationwide industrial action.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued the warning after talks with government representatives in Abuja ended on Thursday without concrete commitments.
The unions said their next step would depend on the outcome of the rescheduled meeting, adding that their affiliates and state councils had been asked to prepare for possible action.
At the centre of the dispute are labour’s calls for petrol prices to return to 2024 levels, a renegotiation of the national minimum wage, implementation of agreed tax relief measures and the settlement of outstanding disputes involving public-sector and health workers.
In a joint statement, NLC General Secretary Benson Upah and TUC Secretary-General Nuhu Toro said the government delegation lacked the authority needed to negotiate meaningfully on the issues.
“No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved,” the unions said.
According to labour, the Minister of Labour requested an adjournment until October 27 to allow the government to prepare for substantive discussions and involve the relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies.
The unions said they were still willing to pursue dialogue but warned that workers’ demands could not be left unresolved indefinitely. They added that their relevant organs would determine the next course of action if Tuesday’s meeting failed to produce meaningful progress.
Labour also called on its affiliates, state councils and civil society allies to remain on alert and begin preparations for possible nationwide mobilisation, while urging workers and the public to remain calm ahead of the next round of talks.
The demands extend beyond the minimum wage, which was increased from N30,000 to N70,000 under the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024. Labour is seeking further negotiations on pay amid pressure from rising living costs and fuel prices.
The unions are also pursuing outstanding issues before the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, including peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
Separately, they want the government to resolve outstanding terms of settlement affecting members of the Joint Health Sector Unions.
The October 27 meeting is expected to determine whether the government and organised labour can reach progress on the demands or whether the unions will consider industrial action.
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