Nigerian employees on Friday warned the federal authorities in opposition to additional delays in addressing their grievances, insisting on a nationwide strike if negotiations scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, fail to provide concrete outcomes.
The warning adopted Thursday’s assembly between authorities representatives and labour leaders in Abuja, which ended with out a decision after key officers chargeable for approving and implementing the calls for have been absent.
The National Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and all their associates at the moment are making ready to mobilise employees throughout the states, native authorities areas and the Federal Capital Territory for attainable industrial motion, with the subsequent assembly thought to be a vital check of the federal government’s willingness to deal with the dispute.
In a progress report obtained by LEADERSHIP on Friday labour had insisted that senior authorities officers with the authority to make binding choices should attend Tuesday’s assembly.
In the report, the organise labour need the subsequent assembly to incorporate the minister of finance , accountant-general of the federation , director-general of the price range workplace and chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
The assembly is scheduled to happen on the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja and is anticipated to begin by 12.00pm.
The NLC’s Demands:
Petrol Price Reduction: The authorities ought to take measures to scale back petrol costs nationwide to the degrees prevailing when the present N70,000 minimal wage was signed into regulation in 2024.
Minimum Wage Renegotiation
The authorities ought to begin negotiations for a brand new nationwide minimal wage, together with steps in the direction of establishing a tripartite negotiating committee.
Tax Relief
Implement agreed tax reduction measures to ease the monetary burden on employees.
Wage Awards
Immediately tackle excellent wage award funds and associated entitlements.
JOHESU Agreement
Implement the phrases of settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals on February 5, 2026.
The Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council(JNPSNC) additionally demanded decision of excellent points, together with peculiar allowances and hazard allowances.
LEADERSHIP reported that the congress had issued a two-week ultimatum to the federal authorities starting October 9, warning that failure to deal with the problems might result in industrial motion.
The ultimatum expired on October 22 with out a breakthrough, prompting labour to set October 27 because the contemporary deadline for significant progress.
Timeline Of The Current Labour-FG Impasse
October 7–9: The NLC’s National Executive Council and Central Working Committee thought-about the financial hardship going through employees and issued a two-week ultimatum starting October 9. Its calls for included petrol value reductions, minimal wage renegotiation and implementation of excellent agreements.
October 12–16:The disagreement over minimal wage negotiations intensified. The authorities maintained that the present wage was due for assessment in June 2027, whereas the NLC argued that preparations for negotiations ought to start instantly.
October 22: The ultimatum expired as talks between authorities representatives and organised labour ended with out settlement. Labour prolonged its deadline to October 27 and directed associates to start mobilisation for attainable nationwide motion.
October 27: Both sides are scheduled to reconvene at midday on the ministry of labour and employment convention corridor in Abuja, with labour demanding the bodily attendance of senior authorities officers empowered to make choices.
Public Servants Warn Against Further Delays
Speaking with LEADERSHIP on Friday, the nationwide secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Olowoyo Gbenga stated the unions have been working collectively to make sure that the excellent points have been addressed, including that the subsequent assembly would decide whether or not the dispute escalated into industrial motion.
He stated, “The JNPSNC is a part of the assembly as a result of we’re equally affiliated to TUC, so the 2 our bodies are equal, we’re all working collectively.
“In reality, we’re mobilising employees that any time after the assembly of October twenty seventh, if the assembly doesn’t carry outcomes, then, instantly, we begin.
“I think the very best thing is to look into our demands and address it squarely and take proactive decisions so as to have right things done to our members and workers and their dependents so as to get relief out of this hardship.”
The organised labour has maintained that they continue to be open to dialogue however warned that their respective organs would decide the subsequent plan of action if Tuesday’s assembly failed to provide significant progress.
Photo: Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi (centre) in a gathering with labour leaders in Abuja on Thursday, 22, 2026.
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