NLC Backs ₦500 Petrol Demand, Workers Propose ₦500,000 Salary

NLC Backs ₦500 Petrol Demand, Workers Propose ₦500,000 Salary

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has backed demands by public-sector workers for the Federal Government to reduce the price of petrol to ₦500 per litre, while the workers have proposed a minimum monthly salary of ₦500,000 for Grade Level 01, Step 1 officers under a new public-service salary structure.

The demands were contained in a letter by the Trade Union Side of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, amid renewed concerns over rising fuel prices and the worsening cost-of-living crisis.

The workers gave the Federal Government until September 30, 2026, to respond to their demands, which cover petrol prices, wage awards, salary reviews and negotiations for a new wage structure.

The JNPSNC called for an intervention capable of bringing the petrol pump price down to ₦500 per litre, arguing that the rising cost of fuel has significantly increased transportation expenses and contributed to higher prices of food and other essential goods and services.

The demand comes amid another increase in petrol prices in Nigeria, with pump prices rising in several parts of the country following higher crude oil prices in the international market.

The labour movement has argued that the impact of rising fuel costs extends beyond motorists, as increased transportation and energy expenses raise the cost of moving agricultural produce, manufacturing goods and other commodities.

The NLC has therefore called for measures to cushion workers and households from the effects of the latest price increases.

On wages, the JNPSNC proposed a new salary structure under which a Grade Level 01, Step 1 public servant would earn ₦500,000 monthly.

The figure is important because it is a proposal by the workers, not an approved national minimum wage.

The proposed ₦500,000 salary is also specifically linked to the public-service salary structure being sought by the JNPSNC ahead of January 2027. It should not be presented as though the Federal Government has agreed to increase Nigeria’s statutory national minimum wage to ₦500,000.

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Nigeria’s current statutory national minimum wage remains ₦70,000 per month, following the 2024 wage agreement and legislation.

The workers are seeking negotiations for a new wage structure while also asking for an immediate Wage Award for employees at the Federal, State and Local Government levels as a short-term response to current economic pressures.

The proposed wage award is separate from the longer-term salary review and any future agreement on the national minimum wage.

The JNPSNC wants the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to begin discussions with labour representatives and other stakeholders on the proposed wage award and salary adjustments.

The workers said rising inflation, transportation costs, food prices, housing expenses, healthcare costs and education fees had reduced the purchasing power of existing salaries.

They also called for salaries and allowances across the public service to be reviewed upward and for future salary adjustments to take inflation into account.

According to the workers, linking periodic salary reviews to inflation would help prevent employees’ earnings from losing substantial purchasing power between major wage negotiations.

The labour side also demanded subsidised transportation and affordable housing for public servants as part of measures to ease the pressure on workers.

On the petroleum sector, the workers backed calls for greater availability of crude oil in naira to local refineries, arguing that increased domestic refining and local crude supply could reduce exposure to international oil-market shocks.

The NLC has previously advocated measures to strengthen local refining and improve domestic energy security as part of efforts to reduce pressure on consumers.

The workers also rejected the idea of relying mainly on food palliatives to address the hardship, arguing that temporary relief does not adequately compensate for the loss of purchasing power caused by higher transportation and living costs.

They instead called for measures that would address the underlying drivers of the rising cost of living.

The latest demands come as the downstream petroleum market faces renewed price pressure despite increased domestic refining capacity.

Higher international crude prices have raised input costs for refiners, contributing to increases in the wholesale and retail prices of petrol.

The development has renewed debate over how much protection Nigeria’s expanding domestic refining capacity can provide against global oil-price movements.

For organised labour, however, the immediate concern is the effect of higher fuel prices on workers and households.

The JNPSNC expects the Federal Government to respond to its demands by September 30, while also looking ahead to negotiations for a new salary and wage framework from January 2027.

The council has indicated that it expects the President’s forthcoming Independence Day address to address some of the concerns raised by workers.

The proposed ₦500,000 salary therefore remains a labour demand awaiting negotiation and possible government consideration. It is not the current national minimum wage and does not mean that all Nigerian workers are automatically entitled to ₦500,000 monthly.

Similarly, the proposed ₦500 petrol price is a demand for government intervention and does not represent the current regulated or prevailing pump price across Nigeria.

The labour demands reflect growing pressure from organised workers for government action as households and businesses contend with higher fuel prices, transportation costs and living expenses.

NLC Backs ₦500 Petrol Demand, Workers Propose ₦500,000 Salary