The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to introduce emergency measures to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices, which have reached about ₦1,430 per litre in major urban centres.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, NLC President Joe Ajaero said petrol was even more expensive in less accessible parts of the country, worsening the cost-of-living pressures facing workers and households.
The union said higher fuel prices were driving up transportation costs and consequently affecting the prices of food, rent, school fees and other essential services.
The NLC attributed the latest increase partly to renewed conflict in the Gulf but argued that Nigeria, as a major oil producer with domestic refining capacity, should provide consumers with some protection against international oil-market shocks.
It urged the Government to introduce reasonable wage awards for workers, supply sufficient crude oil in naira to domestic refineries and expand the country’s petroleum storage capacity to provide a buffer during energy emergencies.
The union also called for targeted subsidies or other interventions to ease the burden on citizens, arguing that the government had additional fiscal space because international crude prices were trading above the benchmark used for the 2026 budget.
According to the NLC, crude prices were between US$35 and US$40 per barrel above the budget benchmark, which it estimated could generate trillions of naira in additional monthly revenue.
The labour organization also criticized the continued importation of crude by Nigerian refineries, describing the practice as inconsistent with the country’s status as an oil producer and its efforts to expand domestic refining capacity.
It said increasing domestic crude supplies could support local refineries, create jobs, generate economic value and strengthen Nigeria’s energy security.