Organised labour is expected to decide its next course of action after a meeting with the Federal Government on Tuesday, October 27, as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) press for solutions to disputes over petrol prices, minimum wage negotiations, tax relief and other workers’ welfare concerns.
The unions have warned that nationwide industrial action remains an option if the government fails to make meaningful commitments before the latest deadline expires. Separately, the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN) has appealed for the payment of outstanding fuel subsidy removal palliatives and improved access to healthcare for retirees.
The NLC Assistant Secretary-General, Chris Onyeka, confirmed the planned meeting to The PUNCH on Monday, saying the union expected the government to respond to demands already submitted by organised labour.
“We expect them to come with answers to our demands, so that the meeting will not be prolonged,” Onyeka said. “We don’t expect them to come and start asking us again, ‘What are your demands?’ The demands have already been tabled before them.”
A source within organised labour also said the government had requested additional time to prepare for the discussions, adding that the unions would determine their next steps after the meeting.
“The government pleaded for more time. So, we will be meeting with them tomorrow (today), and after that we will take our final decision,” the source said.
A TUC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, similarly indicated that the outcome of the negotiations would influence the unions’ response.
“Whatever action we are going to take will rest on the outcome of tomorrow’s meeting,” the official said.
The Federal Ministry of Labour also confirmed that the meeting was scheduled to hold, although its Head of Press and Public Relations, Ann Daniel, noted that arrangements could still change.
The latest engagement follows a meeting on October 22 that ended without an agreement. Organised labour said the government delegation had arrived without the necessary authority to negotiate substantively on the outstanding issues.
In a joint statement signed by the acting NLC General Secretary, Benson Upah, and the TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, the unions said the discussions had produced no concrete commitments.
“Regrettably, the government delegation came unprepared and without the necessary mandates to engage substantively on these issues. No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved,” the statement said.
According to the unions, the Minister of Labour requested that the meeting be adjourned until October 27 to allow relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies to participate in the discussions.
The NLC subsequently directed its affiliates and state councils to prepare for possible nationwide action should the government fail to address the demands. The unions are expected to assess the outcome of Tuesday’s meeting before announcing their next move.
Minimum wage dispute
At the centre of the disagreement is the timing of negotiations for a new national minimum wage to replace the current N70,000 monthly rate introduced in 2024.
The Federal Government maintains that the existing wage is due for review on June 1, 2027, citing provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, as amended in 2024, which it interprets as establishing a three-year review cycle.
In a letter dated October 12, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, reportedly described an attempt to negotiate another review less than two years after the current wage took effect as premature and potentially disruptive to industrial relations.
The NLC, however, wants the process to begin immediately, arguing that early preparations would allow sufficient time for negotiations and prevent delays in implementing a new wage.
In a letter dated October 13, NLC President Joe Ajaero argued that the timetable under the original 2019 legislation remained relevant despite the 2024 amendment.
The union has called for the nomination of representatives and the inauguration of a National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee comprising the Federal Government, organised labour and employers.
President Bola Tinubu signed the legislation increasing the statutory minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 into law on July 29, 2024, following negotiations involving the government, labour unions and the organised private sector.
While the government has pointed to the increase as a significant adjustment in workers’ earnings, labour maintains that rising living costs and the depreciation of the naira have reduced the purchasing power of employees.
The unions argue that higher transportation, food, housing, healthcare and education costs have made it increasingly difficult for workers to meet their basic needs despite the higher statutory wage.
Petrol prices, tax relief and outstanding agreements
Beyond the minimum wage dispute, the NLC and TUC are demanding a reduction in petrol prices to levels prevailing when the N70,000 minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.
They are also seeking the implementation of tax relief measures agreed with the government in 2023, immediate wage awards to cushion the effect of rising living costs and the resolution of outstanding agreements affecting public-sector employees.
Other issues include the implementation of the February 5, 2026, terms of settlement involving the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals.
Labour is also pressing for action on demands raised by the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, including matters relating to peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances.
The unions had initially issued a two-week ultimatum on October 8, demanding progress on the outstanding issues. The deadline expired on October 22, the same day the earlier negotiations ended without an agreement.
The unions subsequently extended the deadline to October 27, making Tuesday’s meeting a key point in the dispute.
Pensioners seek outstanding N75,000 palliative
Meanwhile, FEPPPAN has appealed to the Federal Government to pay eligible pensioners three months of outstanding fuel subsidy removal palliatives, amounting to N75,000 per beneficiary.
The association made the demand in a communiqué issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on October 22. The document was signed by its President-General, Benjamin Maisamari Amako, and General Secretary, Franklin Erinle.
The association said eligible retirees were entitled to the outstanding payments of the N25,000 monthly palliative and urged the government to settle the arrears.
It also called on the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to clarify the implementation of pension harmonisation, which took effect in January 2026, and make the relevant government circular available to retirees.
According to the association, clearer information and a meeting involving stakeholders would help address complaints, improve communication and resolve outstanding cases relating to the harmonisation exercise.
FEPPPAN further urged PTAD to ensure that the planned relaunch of its I Am Alive verification platform did not interrupt pension payments to elderly, sick or physically incapacitated beneficiaries.
It called for clear guidelines, adequate assistance and safeguards to prevent eligible retirees from being excluded because they could not complete verification procedures without help.
While commending President Tinubu for the timely payment of monthly pensions to retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, the association urged the government to maintain uninterrupted payments.
Retirees demand easier healthcare registration
On healthcare, FEPPPAN called on PTAD and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to simplify enrolment in the Pensioner Health Insurance Scheme.
The association recommended assisted registration, accessible enrolment centres and additional support for retirees who cannot travel because of age, illness or disability.
It expressed concern that administrative requirements and technological difficulties could prevent eligible pensioners from registering for or accessing healthcare benefits.
The association therefore urged the relevant authorities to identify retirees who had yet to enrol and help them complete the process.
“No eligible pensioner should be denied access to the scheme because of difficulties with registration, verification or other administrative procedures,” it said.
FEPPPAN also called for an effective complaints-resolution mechanism to address registration difficulties and other challenges retirees might encounter while seeking healthcare services.
It urged PTAD and other relevant agencies to provide clear and accessible information on pension entitlements, verification requirements, healthcare enrolment and procedures for resolving complaints.
The association said transparent pension administration was essential to protecting retirees’ dignity, welfare and financial security, particularly amid rising living costs.
PTAD administers pension liabilities for eligible federal public-sector retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, while its I Am Alive platform is used to verify beneficiaries’ continued eligibility for payments.
FEPPPAN urged the President and relevant authorities to give prompt consideration to its resolutions and ensure that pensioners received their entitlements without unnecessary delays or interruptions.
