The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to urgently introduce emergency palliatives, including wage awards for workers nationwide, to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices on households and businesses.
The labour union also called on the government to sell crude oil to local refineries in naira and expand the country’s strategic storage capacity to strengthen energy security and improve preparedness for emergencies.
The NLC made the demands in a statement titled “Save the Situation Now”, issued on Wednesday by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
The union expressed concern over the rising pump price of petrol, which it said had climbed to about N1,430 per litre in major cities, with prices reportedly higher in less accessible areas.
Comrade Ajaero warned that the development would further deepen the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, particularly as higher transportation costs usually trigger increases in the prices of food, rent, school fees, tariffs and other essential goods and services.
“We are seriously concerned by the rising cost of the pump price of petrol across the country,” Ajaero said.
He argued that the latest increase was coming at a time when government pressure on petroleum marketers to reduce pump prices in line with lower international crude oil prices was beginning to yield results.
According to him, the resurgence of conflict in the Gulf has contributed to the renewed pressure on petroleum prices, but Nigeria’s status as an oil-producing country means the impact should not be allowed to become overwhelming.
“Yet, even as this new wave of costs is caused by the resurgence of the conflict in the Gulf, our situation need not be this bleak,” he said.
The NLC president noted that Nigeria has substantial fossil resources and local refining capacity, much of which is operated by private-sector investors.
He therefore urged the government to use available resources to create a buffer against external shocks affecting petroleum prices.
“As part of the process of creating this buffer, we urge the government to immediately give reasonable wage awards to workers; sell sufficient crude in naira to our local refineries; and expand our national storage capacity in pursuance of meeting energy emergencies and security,” Ajaero said.
He said the measures would not only cushion the impact of rising fuel prices but also create jobs, stimulate economic activity and help address emerging security challenges.
The labour leader also maintained that government intervention through subsidies or other forms of support should not be ruled out during periods of economic emergency.
“There is nothing wrong with the government subsidising the needs of citizens, especially in emergencies like this,” he said.
Comrade Ajaero further argued that oil-producing countries were expected to deploy various forms of intervention or sustainable palliatives during periods of severe energy and economic pressure.
The NLC also questioned why the government would allow citizens to bear the full burden of rising petroleum costs, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching.
It said the government should act swiftly to prevent further deterioration in living conditions and protect workers and vulnerable households from the effects of the latest fuel price increases.
Comrade Ajaero also claimed that the Federal Government was benefiting from higher international crude oil prices, alleging that the country was currently earning between $35 and $40 per barrel above the budgeted crude price.
He described the difference as a windfall and argued that part of the additional revenue should be deployed to cushion the impact of rising energy costs on Nigerians.
The NLC called for immediate action, warning that continued increases in petrol prices could further erode workers’ wages and deepen poverty across the country.
