The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to reduce petrol prices immediately, accusing its economic policies of worsening the financial difficulties faced by workers and other Nigerians.
The labour union also criticised the government for continuing to demand sacrifices from citizens without providing sufficient relief amid rising transportation costs, food prices and other essential expenses.
The NLC stated its position in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of its National Executive Council and Central Working Committee. The document was presented to journalists at Labour House in Abuja by the union’s president, Joe Ajaero.
The call comes after the Federal Government announced plans to introduce a 30-day petrol discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) filling stations, alongside negotiations over a proposed ₦1,350-per-litre ceiling on petrol’s ex-gantry or landing cost.
The proposed ceiling is intended to limit the immediate impact of fluctuations in international crude oil prices and exchange rates on petrol costs. It does not mean motorists will automatically pay ₦1,350 per litre at filling stations.
Reacting to the fuel-pricing measures, the NLC argued that petrol remains too expensive and that its high cost continues to affect the prices of transportation, food and other basic goods.
The congress urged the government to work with relevant agencies to bring down the price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol. It also called for a review of policies that it believes have allowed repeated increases in petroleum product prices.
According to the labour body, the current situation has intensified economic pressure on workers and low-income households, while oil marketers have continued to benefit from the prevailing market conditions.
Ajaero said the union’s leadership was concerned about the worsening living conditions of Nigerian workers, citing persistent inflation, the depreciation of the naira, declining purchasing power and the rising cost of meeting basic needs.
The NLC also criticised the government’s broader economic approach, arguing that the burden of fiscal and economic challenges was falling disproportionately on ordinary citizens.
The union maintained that reducing petrol prices should be an immediate priority, alongside measures to ease the cost-of-living crisis and protect workers’ wages from further erosion.
The latest statement adds to pressure on the Federal Government to address the impact of fuel costs on the wider economy, even as officials defend their pricing and fiscal policies as necessary for long-term economic stability.
