Independence at 66: Labour Raises Alarm Over Rising Cost of Living and Eroding Wages
By GLEBM News Desk
The Nigeria Labour Congress has used Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary to raise fresh concerns over the worsening cost of living, declining purchasing power and the economic pressures confronting workers and households across the country.
In an Independence Day statement signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on September 30, 2026, the labour centre said rising petrol and transportation costs, inflation and stagnant real wages had created a difficult economic environment for workers.
The statement, titled “Our Hope Depends on the Choices We Make and the Actions We Take,” combined a reflection on Nigeria’s independence with a detailed assessment of the economic conditions facing workers and the union’s expectations from government.
The NLC said the real value of wages had been significantly eroded by inflation, while petrol prices had risen to about ₦1,430 per litre or higher in major cities and even more in some remote locations.
According to the union, higher fuel prices have consequences beyond the filling station because transportation costs influence the prices of food, rent, school fees and other essential goods and services.
The labour centre argued that the continuing increase in household expenses had created a widening gap between nominal earnings and the actual cost of maintaining a decent standard of living.
The union also revisited the May 2023 removal of petrol subsidy, questioning how the savings associated with the policy had been utilised. It argued that the infrastructure and social-service improvements Nigerians were told would result from the policy had not been sufficiently evident.
The NLC further raised concerns over Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum despite its position as a major crude-oil producer. It called for stronger domestic refining capacity and a reduction in the country’s exposure to fluctuations in international petroleum markets.
The organisation’s concerns come at a time when the cost of transportation remains an important factor affecting households and businesses. Higher logistics expenses can increase the cost of moving agricultural produce, manufactured goods and other commodities from producers to consumers.
The NLC said immediate measures were needed to reduce the pressure on workers, including a nationwide wage award for employees at federal, state and local government levels.
It also called for the implementation of tax relief measures which it said were agreed during the October 2023 negotiations between government and organised labour.
The union further called for the establishment of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage for 2027.
The NLC argued that the current ₦70,000 minimum wage had lost significant purchasing power because of inflation and called for a new wage framework to be formulated and legislated before the end of the year.
Beyond wages, the labour centre called for greater attention to the cost of governance and transparency in public spending.
It urged government to invest more heavily in roads, healthcare, education and other social infrastructure, arguing that improvements in these areas would help reduce the economic burden on households and improve productivity.
The NLC also linked the country’s economic difficulties with youth unemployment and insecurity. It called for more opportunities for young Nigerians to build sustainable livelihoods rather than relying on risky migration routes in search of economic opportunities.
The union said insecurity had also disrupted farming and affected the ability of workers such as teachers and healthcare professionals to operate safely in some communities.
The NLC cited nearly 2,000 deaths from violence during the first quarter of 2026 as part of its argument that insecurity and economic hardship are interconnected. The figure was presented by the union in its statement and would require independent verification before being treated as an independently established statistic.
The labour organisation also addressed the political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections, calling for respect for voters’ choices and warning against electoral manipulation, voter intimidation and rhetoric capable of deepening ethnic or religious divisions.
The NLC said it would rely on its Workers’ Charter when outlining its position on policies and candidates at the appropriate time, while stressing that individual workers retain the right to make their own political choices.
As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, the labour centre’s message places economic dignity, purchasing power, public services and employment opportunities at the centre of its assessment of the country’s progress.
For workers and households, the immediate concern remains the ability of wages to keep pace with essential expenses. For policymakers, the challenge is how to address inflationary pressures while maintaining economic stability, encouraging investment and improving public services.
The NLC’s Independence Day intervention therefore adds to the broader national debate over how Nigeria can translate economic growth and its natural-resource wealth into improved living standards and greater economic security for its citizens.
