The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the federal government’s proposed 5 per cent tax on petroleum products, describing it as “economic wickedness” against citizens already weighed down by hardship.
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In a statement on Monday, TUC president general Festus Osifo and secretary general Nuhu Toro said the levy would worsen the struggles of Nigerians who are still grappling with the effects of petrol subsidy removal, surging food prices, and a collapsing naira.
“Let it be clear: workers and citizens are still reeling from the pains of subsidy removal, skyrocketing fuel prices, food inflation, and a collapsing naira. To now introduce another levy on petroleum products is to deliberately compound suffering, cripple businesses, and push millions of citizens deeper into poverty,” the statement reads.
“Government cannot continue to use Nigerians as sacrificial lambs for its economic experiments. Instead of offering relief, jobs, and solutions, it has chosen to further squeeze citizens dry. This is unacceptable!”
The labour centre urged the government to immediately scrap the plan, warning that failure to do so could trigger a nationwide strike.
“The TUC hereby urge the Federal Government to immediately stop this anti-people’s plan in its entirety. Failure to do so will leave us with no option but to mobilise Nigerian workers and the masses for a total nationwide resistance. Strike action is firmly on the table if the government dares to ignore this warning and go ahead to implement this policy,” the statement added.
The TUC directed its state councils, affiliates, and structures across the country to remain on alert for further instructions, warning that “decisive action” could follow if the government disregards public opposition.
It also called on civil society organisations, professional bodies, student unions, market associations, and religious leaders to stand in solidarity with Nigerian workers to resist “policies that seek to further impoverish citizens and mortgage our future”.
“Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve economic justice, not endless punishment,” the labour leaders said.
On July 25, the Federal government introduced a 5 per cent surcharge on chargeable fossil fuel products, which becomes effective at the point of supply, sale, or payment.
The levy has since raised concerns that it could worsen inflation and trigger fresh hardship.
Responding on September 6, the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee clarified that the surcharge is not a new policy introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration but a provision that has existed since the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (Amendment) Act of 2007.
The committee said the measure was merely restated in the new tax act “for harmonisation and transparency.”
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