Nigeria Labour Congress Demands Wage Awards Amid Petrol Price Surge

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the federal government to implement emergency measures to mitigate the impact of soaring petrol prices, which have reached approximately N1,430 per litre in major urban centers. In a statement titled “Save the Situation Now,” the union warned that the price surge is deepening poverty and eroding household purchasing power, leading to increased costs for food, rent, and school fees.

NLC President Joe Ajaero demanded the immediate introduction of wage awards for workers and the sale of crude oil to local refineries in naira to reduce reliance on imports. He also urged the government to expand national petroleum storage capacity to enhance energy security and protect the country from international market shocks, specifically citing renewed conflict in the Gulf.

Ajaero argued that the government should utilize windfall profits from international crude prices—currently $35 to $40 per barrel above budgeted figures—to provide subsidies and palliatives. He cautioned that a government seeking re-election in the coming months cannot allow marketers to inflict suffering on citizens under the guise of deregulation.