NLC Urges Federal Government to Cushion Fuel Price Shock, Calls for Wage Relief and Refinery Revival

By Darasimi K.

The Nigeria Labour Congress has urged the government to introduce wage relief and revive public refineries as fuel prices surge above ₦1,000 per litre.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to urgently implement economic relief measures for Nigerian workers following the sharp rise in petrol prices linked to global oil market tensions.

In a press statement issued on 13 March 2026, the labour body warned that millions of workers are struggling with the escalating cost of living as petrol prices reportedly climbed to between ₦1,170 and ₦1,300 per litre, driven partly by volatility in global crude markets amid geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

The Congress said the surge in fuel prices is intensifying economic hardship across the country, raising transport costs, worsening food inflation, and eroding the purchasing power of workers.

Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, said the situation underscores the vulnerability of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector and the need for urgent policy interventions to protect citizens from global market shocks.

“The rising cost of petrol has placed enormous pressure on Nigerian workers and their families. Transportation costs are rising sharply, and wages are increasingly unable to meet basic needs,” Ajaero said.

The labour organisation argued that Nigeria remains exposed to international market fluctuations partly because public refineries have not been fully operational, forcing continued reliance on market-driven pricing linked to global oil dynamics.

According to the NLC, restoring full operations at the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries would help strengthen domestic refining capacity and reduce the impact of global price shocks on local consumers.

The Congress also raised concerns that the current pricing framework in the downstream sector could leave Nigerians vulnerable to external geopolitical developments if domestic production capacity is not expanded.

Labour’s Key Demands

To ease the burden on workers and households, the NLC urged the Federal Government to implement several immediate measures, including:

• Introduction of a Wage Award and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for workers to offset rising inflation and living costs.
• Expansion and reform of cash transfer programmes to ensure transparency and improved support for vulnerable households.
• Tax relief for low-income earners, including a review of policies affecting informal sector workers.
• Clear timelines for the full operationalisation of Nigeria’s public refineries following years of rehabilitation spending.

The labour union also cited projections by the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) suggesting that Nigeria could record as much as ₦30 trillion in additional oil revenue as a result of higher crude prices linked to Middle East tensions.

The NLC argued that any windfall earnings from the oil sector should be directed toward social protection programmes and economic relief for citizens.

“Any additional oil revenue should be invested in the welfare of Nigerians and used to cushion the economic impact of the current global crisis,” Ajaero stated.

The Congress called for constructive dialogue between government and organised labour, stressing that economic policy responses must prioritise the welfare of citizens.

It warned that persistent economic hardship could deepen social tensions if urgent steps are not taken to stabilise living costs and protect workers’ livelihoods.

“The government must act decisively to prevent further hardship. The primary duty of the state is to ensure the welfare and protection of its citizens,” the NLC said.

— GLEBM News