The Nigeria Labour Congress has called on the government of Nigeria to urgently intervene as petrol prices surge to between ₦1,170 and ₦1,300 per litre across the country.
In a statement issued on March 15, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the sharp increase in fuel prices has intensified economic hardship for workers, pushing up transportation costs, food prices and the general cost of living.
He urged the government to introduce immediate relief measures, including wage support and cost-of-living assistance, to cushion the impact on workers and vulnerable citizens. Ajaero also stressed the need for the authorities to make Nigeria’s public refineries fully operational in order to reduce reliance on imported petroleum products and stabilise domestic fuel supply.
The labour leader further called for tax relief for low-income earners, expanded social support programmes and greater transparency in the management of oil revenues, adding that any gains from rising crude oil prices should be directed toward improving the welfare of Nigerians.