Nigeria Labour Congress Demands Wage Hike Amid Petrol Price Surge

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for an immediate wage increase for Nigerian workers to mitigate the effects of rising petrol prices. According to NLC President Joe Ajaero, petrol prices have soared to around N1,430 per litre in major urban centres and even higher in some rural areas.

Recent increases in petrol prices are attributed to a rise in international crude prices, with filling stations adjusting pump prices accordingly. This has severely eroded workers' purchasing power, exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis as transporters pass on higher fuel costs to consumers.

Ajaero argues that Nigeria's status as an oil producer should provide some protection against international energy price shocks. He demands an immediate 'reasonable wage award' for workers, increased crude oil supply in naira to domestic refineries, and expansion of the country's petroleum storage capacity.