The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, and members of the Joint Action Front (JAF) have called on Nigerians to resist rising petrol prices and mounting economic hardship, arguing that workers and low-income households are bearing the heaviest burden of the Federal Government’s economic policies.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
The labour leaders and activists spoke at a symposium in Lagos held as part of the first memorial activities in honour of Comrade Abiodun Aremu, where they demanded a reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, a review of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage and stronger measures to stabilise the economy.
NLC President Joe Ajaero, represented by the congress’ Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, said the removal of petrol subsidy had severely affected workers through higher transportation costs, food prices, electricity tariffs and other living expenses.
“The removal of the fuel subsidy has devastated Nigeria’s working class and masses,” Ajaero said in an address delivered on his behalf.
He argued that the economic pressure had turned everyday survival into a major challenge for workers and accused the government of pursuing policies that, in the NLC’s view, disproportionately benefited a small segment of society while worsening hardship for the majority.
“The government has effectively declared war on its own people, pushing the majority to the fringes of survival,” he said.
The NLC recalled that it had already given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum beginning October 9, 2026, demanding steps to reduce petrol prices and commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage. The ultimatum followed a joint meeting of the congress’ National Executive Council and Central Working Committee.
Ajaero said the ultimatum was not merely a negotiating tactic but a warning that organised labour could take further steps if the government failed to respond.
“Most recently, the NLC issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding an immediate reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.
“This ultimatum is not a mere bargaining chip but a solemn warning. If the government does not act within the stipulated timeframe, the NLC will have no choice but to seek remedial steps,” he said.
The congress argued that petrol prices should reflect the earning capacity of workers, particularly those receiving the national minimum wage.
According to the NLC, petrol sold for about ₦668.30 per litre when the ₦70,000 minimum wage was fixed in 2024, compared with prices exceeding ₦1,400 in some parts of the country at the time of the symposium.
“A worker earning ₦70,000 a month cannot afford to buy petrol at ₦1,400 per litre. The government has effectively rendered the minimum wage meaningless,” Ajaero said.
“The ₦70,000 minimum wage was inadequate when it was announced. It is now a cruel joke. The NLC will not accept a situation where Nigerian workers are expected to survive on starvation wages while the cost of living continues to rise.”
The NLC has separately demanded that petrol prices be reduced to the level prevailing when the current minimum wage was signed into law and that negotiations on a new wage begin.
Beyond petrol prices, the congress called for measures to strengthen domestic refining, stabilise the naira and reduce inflation.
Falana, who chaired the symposium, challenged the argument that subsidy removal was the only policy option available to government.
He said several countries continued to subsidise essential services and argued that governments should adopt measures capable of protecting citizens from severe economic shocks.
Falana also criticised discussions around a possible petrol landed-cost benchmark of about ₦1,350 per litre, arguing that consumers in locations farther from major supply centres could face additional distribution costs.
“Here in Nigeria, with elections approaching, the government is telling us that the best it can offer is that the landed cost of fuel will be ₦1,350 per litre.
“When the government talks about landed cost, we must consider what that means for Nigerians in Abuja, Jos, Maiduguri and other parts of the country, where additional transportation and distribution costs may apply,” Falana said.
The Federal Government had earlier discussed a petrol price ceiling around ₦1,350 per litre as well as temporary discounts at NNPC Limited retail outlets, although the details and nationwide implementation of those measures were still evolving.
Also speaking, Rashidat Adesina of the Joint Action Front said the rise in petrol prices had imposed a disproportionate burden on low-income workers.
She calculated that at ₦1,400 per litre, a worker earning ₦70,000 monthly could purchase only 50 litres of petrol if the entire wage were spent on fuel.
“The national minimum wage is ₦70,000 per month. At ₦1,400 per litre, an entire month’s minimum wage can purchase only 50 litres of petrol. That calculation does not include rent, school fees, food, transportation or other essential expenses,” she said.
Adesina argued that the comparison showed how rising energy costs had weakened the purchasing power of workers before other essential household expenses were even considered.
The speakers maintained that the burden of economic adjustment was falling heavily on workers, traders, artisans, young people and other low-income Nigerians.
They called on the Federal Government to reconsider its economic priorities by reducing petrol prices, opening negotiations on a new minimum wage, strengthening local refining capacity and adopting measures to stabilise the naira and reduce the cost of living.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
