The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has rejected the Federal Government’s response to its demands for urgent economic relief and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage, raising concerns over a possible escalation of industrial tension as its 14-day ultimatum runs its course.

The Congress, in a letter to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, faulted the government’s position that negotiations for a fresh minimum wage review would be premature before June 2027, insisting that preparations for a new wage agreement should begin immediately.

The NLC in the letter by its President, Joe Ajaero, also insisted on a reduction in petrol prices, the implementation of tax relief measures agreed upon in 2023, immediate wage awards to cushion the rising cost of living, and the implementation of agreements with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council, JPSNC.

Although the NLC in the letter did not expressly declare an imminent strike, sources within the NLC told Vanguard that its rejection of the government’s response to NLC’s ultimatum and insistence on urgent action by government is an indication of a looming industrial confrontation if the dispute remains unresolved before the ultimatum expires.

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