The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has criticised executive officials for failing to respond to formal labour submissions. The submissions covered fuel price adjustments, minimum wage implementation and worker welfare demands. The NLC said the silence is unacceptable. It spoke at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday.
The NLC has engaged the government on fuel prices since the subsidy was removed in May 2023. It demanded wage awards and minimum wage reviews. The government offered temporary payments. They expired. In 2024, the NLC threatened strikes over the minimum wage. The government raised it to ₦70,000. Inflation eroded its value. In 2026, the NLC renewed its demands. The public sector unions began a three-day warning strike on 2 October. The NLC backed them.
The NLC said it submitted formal proposals to the government. The proposals covered petrol price stabilisation, wage awards and minimum wage negotiations. The government has not responded. The NLC said officials have ignored the submissions. It accused them of treating workers with contempt. The NLC said it would not accept silence as a response.
The warning strike began on 2 October. It disrupted public services. Hospitals, schools and ministries were affected. The NLC said the strike would escalate if the government continues to ignore its demands. The government has not commented publicly. It may be negotiating behind the scenes. It may be waiting out the strike. Labour’s leverage has weakened since 2023. The public is fatigued. But the NLC can still disrupt.
The minimum wage is due for review in 2027. The NLC wants talks to begin now. The government wants to wait. The standoff continues.
Winners: The NLC, which asserts leverage. Workers, if demands are partially met. Losers: The government, which faces criticism. Commuters, who face disruption. Patients, who face delayed care. The economy, which absorbs lost productivity.
Bottom Line: The NLC says officials are silent. Workers are angry. The warning strike has begun. The government must respond. Silence is not a policy.