The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have warned of possible nationwide industrial action after talks with the Federal Government ended without a resolution on workers’ demands on Thursday.
The unions said their next decision would depend on the outcome of a follow-up meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 27. They also directed their affiliates and state councils to prepare for possible action if the government failed to make substantial progress.
The discussions took place at the Federal Ministry of Labour in Abuja, with labour leaders presenting demands covering petrol prices, minimum wage renegotiation, tax relief and outstanding welfare issues affecting health workers and other public servants.
In a joint statement signed by NLC General Secretary Benson Upah and TUC Secretary-General Nuhu Toro, the unions criticised the government’s delegation for attending without sufficient authority to negotiate on the matters raised.
“No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved,” the unions said, expressing dissatisfaction with the outcome of the meeting.
According to the statement, the Minister of Labour requested an adjournment until October 27 to allow the government to prepare adequately for the next round of discussions. The preparations are expected to include the participation of relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies.
Organised labour maintained that it was willing to continue negotiations but warned that workers’ concerns could not be left unattended through repeated postponements.
“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 also called on their affiliate bodies, state councils and civil society allies to stay prepared and begin mobilisation in anticipation of possible industrial action nationwide.
However, they urged workers and members of the public to remain calm while expressing hope that the government would address their concerns at the rescheduled meeting.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of rising living costs and continuing pressure on workers’ earnings following recent economic reforms. Labour is seeking a reduction in petrol prices to levels recorded in 2024, alongside renewed negotiations on the national minimum wage and the implementation of previously agreed tax relief measures.
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Nigeria’s minimum wage was increased from N30,000 to N70,000 under the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024, following negotiations involving the Federal Government, organised labour and other stakeholders. The latest call for renegotiation indicates that the unions want further discussions on workers’ pay amid prevailing economic challenges.
Other unresolved matters involve the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC).
The JPSNC’s demands include the settlement of issues concerning peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances. JOHESU, meanwhile, is seeking the resolution of outstanding matters relating to agreed terms of settlement for health-sector workers.
The outcome of Tuesday’s meeting could determine whether the dispute proceeds towards industrial action or further negotiations. The NLC and TUC said they would participate in the next session, leaving the final decision on any action to their respective leadership organs.