Exposed: How Labour Unions Fought Against Fuel Price Increases to Achieve N70,000 Minimum Wage

In an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, explained the rationale behind the labour unions’ decision to accept a N70,000 minimum wage during recent negotiations with the federal government.continue Reading>>>

As reported by the Daily Post, Ajaero revealed that during discussions with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, the unions were given two options: accept a higher minimum wage alongside a fuel price hike, or agree to a lower wage without any increase in fuel prices.

Ajaero recalled President Tinubu saying, “Ajaero, you are the one stopping me from raising the fuel price further.” Tinubu even suggested sending labour representatives to other West African countries, where fuel prices were as high as N1,700 to N2,000 per liter.

The unions firmly rejected the idea, stating that they were not there to negotiate fuel prices but solely to discuss the minimum wage. Ajaero emphasized, “We told Mr. President that we had no mandate to talk about fuel price increases.continue Reading>>>

We were only there to focus on the minimum wage.”Initially, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) demanded a N250,000 minimum wage, but eventually settled for N70,000 after refusing the government’s offer to raise fuel prices in exchange for a higher wage.Ajaero also touched on discussions regarding Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a potential alternative fuel.

The unions had negotiated with experts for vehicle conversions to CNG at N300,000 per vehicle. However, the government later proposed a significantly higher cost of N800,000, which the unions rejected.Expressing frustration, Ajaero criticized the government’s lack of commitment to making CNG a more affordable solution for Nigerian workers.continue Reading>>>

This compromise on the N70,000 minimum wage comes amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges, including rising inflation and the high cost of living. Despite agreeing to the lower wage, the labour unions remain focused on protecting workers’ interests while resisting further increases in fuel prices.