On Tuesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) demanded the immediate reversal of the recent fuel price hike announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), stating that the increase has exacerbated the suffering of Nigerians.
Despite the country’s ongoing fuel scarcity, the NNPCL raised the pump price of petrol from ₦568 to between ₦855 and ₦897 per litre, depending on the location.
In a statement condemning the hike, NLC President Joe Ajaero accused the Federal Government of betraying the labour movement. He called for the immediate reversal of the fuel price increase, the release of those detained or prosecuted for allegedly participating in recent protests, an end to the indiscriminate arrest and detention of citizens on false charges, and the reversal of the 250% hike in electricity tariffs.
He also demanded the cessation of policies that cause hunger and insecurity, the end of government practices that instil fear and dishonesty, and the return of the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s duties to their rightful authority.
Ajaero also criticised the current administration for failing to implement the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000, accusing the government of insincerity and describing its policies as traumatic. He recalled how President Bola Tinubu had offered labour leaders a choice between a ₦250,000 minimum wage and a petrol price of ₦1,500, an offer they rejected due to its potential impact on Nigerians.
“Yet, here we are, barely a month later, with the government still not paying the new national minimum wage, facing a reality that is both traumatic and nightmarish,” Ajaero said. “When we warned the government that its approach to resolving the fuel subsidy issue was fundamentally flawed and unsustainable, its supporters mocked us, claiming we didn’t understand basic economics.
“But the truth is, this act of betrayal is typical of this government. We remember the assurances given by the National Assembly leadership on the 250% tariff hike, promising it had been addressed and there was no need to confront the Minister of Power. Instead of reversing the rate as promised, it has been further increased, putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy,” he lamented.