The Nigeria Labour Congress has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to take immediate action following a sharp rise in petrol prices across the country, which now range between N1,230 and N1,300 per litre.


The appeal was made in a statement released by the union’s president, Joe Ajaero, who warned that the latest fuel price surge is intensifying economic hardship for workers and households nationwide.


According to the labour leader, the rising cost of petrol is driving increases in transportation fares, food prices, and other basic living expenses, further straining already pressured household incomes.


Rising Fuel Prices Deepen Economic Pressure on Workers

Ajaero said the recent price spike has significantly worsened the financial challenges facing Nigerian workers and the broader population.


The sudden increase in petrol price to between N1,170 and N1,300 per litre has further deepened the economic hardship faced by Nigerian workers and the general populace, he said.

He explained that the ripple effects of higher fuel prices are already visible across several sectors of the economy. Transport fares have surged, food prices continue to climb, and essential commodities are becoming increasingly unaffordable for many Nigerians.


The NLC president warned that without urgent intervention, the rising cost of living could place millions of households under severe economic pressure.



Labour Union Calls for Relief Measures

In response to the situation, the labour union is urging the government to introduce targeted relief policies to cushion the impact of the fuel price increase.


Ajaero suggested that wage support programmes should be considered to help workers cope with the growing gap between incomes and living costs.

The government must urgently introduce measures, including wage support and cost of living relief, to cushion the devastating impact of the current fuel price crisis on workers and vulnerable citizens, he said.

He also recommended tax relief for low-income earners and an expansion of social protection programmes designed to assist vulnerable populations.


According to the NLC, such interventions are necessary to prevent the current fuel crisis from further eroding the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.


Concerns Over Nigeria’s Petroleum Supply System


Beyond short-term relief measures, Ajaero said the current situation exposes deeper structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.


He argued that the country remains highly vulnerable to shifts in global oil markets because it still depends heavily on imported refined petroleum products.


To address this challenge, the labour leader urged the government to ensure that public refineries across the country are restored to full operational capacity.


According to him, functioning domestic refineries would help stabilise fuel supply, reduce dependence on imports, and limit the impact of global price shocks on local petrol prices.


Call for Transparency in Oil Revenue Management


Ajaero also emphasised the importance of transparency in the management of oil-related revenues, particularly during periods of rising crude oil prices.


He said any additional revenue generated from higher global oil prices should be directed toward programmes that improve the welfare of Nigerians.


The labour union believes that proper management of such windfalls could help fund social protection initiatives and economic relief measures for citizens affected by rising living costs.


Read More: Nigeria’s Remote Tech Workforce Is Spending Up


Industry Stakeholders Weigh in on Rising Oil Prices


The NLC’s concerns come amid broader discussions within Nigeria’s energy sector about the implications of rising crude oil prices.


Earlier, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria advised the federal government to channel gains from the current oil price surge into developing Nigeria’s gas infrastructure.


Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, PETROAN’s national president, Billy Gillis-Harry, said such investments could help strengthen Nigeria’s long-term energy security.


Global Tensions Push Oil Prices Higher


The latest spike in fuel prices comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted global energy markets.


The ongoing conflict involving Iran and the allied forces of Israel and the United States has contributed to increased volatility in international crude oil prices.


As global oil prices climb, countries that rely heavily on imported refined petroleum products such as Nigeria often experience rapid increases in domestic fuel costs.


For Nigerian workers and households already facing inflationary pressures, the latest petrol price increase adds another layer of economic strain.