Nigeria Labour Congress Threatens Strike Over Potential Petrol Price Increase

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning, declaring its intention to go on strike if the pump price of petrol undergoes another hike without the Federal Government addressing the repercussions of the previous two increases. Labour representatives have emphasized that no prior notice would be given if their members were to awaken to a new petrol price.

Joe Ajaero, the President of NLC, conveyed this stance during a recent meeting of African alliance trade union executives held in Abuja. He raised concerns about the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) having already raised the pump price of petrol twice since the removal of petrol subsidy.

As a result, Nigerians are now purchasing petrol products at an average price of N617 per litre, with slight variations based on location. The increase prompted organized labour to stage a nationwide one-day protest to highlight the escalating cost of living. The protest was eventually suspended after a meeting between labour representatives and President Bola Tinubu.

Recent reports have indicated the possibility of further price increases by independent marketers, who have cited the decline of the Naira’s value against the dollar in the parallel market, currently standing at N950. Ajaero, voicing the sentiment of the NLC, stated, “Workers will not give any notice if we have not addressed the consequences of the last two increases.” He also expressed concerns about the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment seeking injunctions from the Federal Ministry of Justice to prevent labour from responding.

Ajaero emphasized the urgency of the situation, remarking, “Let me say this, workers will not give any notice if we wake up from our sleep to hear that they have tampered with prices of petroleum products. They have started floating ideas of a likely increase in the pump price of petroleum products.”