The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed outrage over the skyrocketing price of petrol, claiming it has wiped out the potential benefits of the proposed N70,000 national minimum wage. NLC President Joe Ajaero voiced these concerns during a two-day workshop in Lagos, stressing that the current economic conditions have left many Nigerian workers struggling to survive.
Ajaero directly criticized President Bola Tinubu for allegedly deceiving organized labour into accepting the minimum wage proposal with promises of stabilizing fuel prices. He described the current situation as dire, warning the government to act swiftly to address the worsening levels of hunger, poverty, and frustration in the country.
“We were betrayed by Mr. President,” Ajaero declared, recalling previous negotiations with the Tinubu administration. He revealed that the government had offered a false choice between a N250,000 minimum wage and a further hike in petrol prices. “Even N250,000 may not be enough to buy fuel at these prices,” he added.
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The NLC leader further revealed that President Tinubu had suggested funding a trip for union leaders to tour West African countries, where petrol prices are reportedly higher than in Nigeria. Ajaero, however, dismissed the idea, urging the government to focus on curbing smuggling at the borders instead.
“Mr. President offered to fund our trip to countries where petrol sells for as high as N1,700 or even N2,000, but we told him the real issue is smuggling at the borders,” Ajaero said. “Nigerians won’t understand if we take such trips—they’ll just think we’ve been paid off.”
Ajaero also pointed out the resistance from private sector employers during wage discussions, calling for unity among labour representatives to push for fair wages.
As tensions continue to rise, the NLC is set to meet with the federal government next Thursday to discuss how Nigerian workers can survive amid the recent fuel price hikes and the delayed implementation of the minimum wage.
