The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have warned of possible nationwide industrial action after a meeting with the Federal Government ended without an agreement on workers’ demands.

The unions said their next move would depend on the outcome of another meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, adding that their affiliates and state councils had been directed to prepare for possible action if the government failed to make meaningful progress.

The meeting, held at the Federal Ministry of Labour in Abuja on Thursday, focused on several issues affecting workers, including a demand for petrol prices to return to 2024 levels, the renegotiation of the national minimum wage, the implementation of agreed tax relief measures and the resolution of outstanding disputes involving health workers and other public servants.

In a joint statement signed by NLC General Secretary Benson Upah and TUC Secretary-General Nuhu Toro, organised labour expressed disappointment with the outcome, alleging that the government delegation arrived without the necessary mandate to negotiate substantively on the issues raised.

“No concrete commitments were secured, and the outstanding issues remain unresolved,” the unions said.

According to the statement, the Minister of Labour requested an adjournment until October 27 to allow the government to make adequate preparations for the next round of discussions. The unions said relevant ministers and heads of departments and agencies were expected to attend the rescheduled meeting.

Labour maintained that it remained committed to dialogue but warned that workers’ concerns could not be left unresolved indefinitely.

“We will report back to our organs, and if no meaningful progress is made on Tuesday, the relevant organs of the NLC will decide the next line of action,” the statement added.

The unions also urged their affiliates, state councils and civil society allies to remain on alert and begin preparations for possible mobilisation across the country while awaiting the outcome of the next meeting.

However, they appealed to Nigerian workers and the general public to remain calm, expressing hope that the government would address the outstanding demands at the rescheduled talks.

The dispute comes amid continuing concerns about the cost of living, fuel prices and the purchasing power of workers following recent economic reforms.

Nigeria’s national minimum wage was increased from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 under the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024, following negotiations involving the Federal Government, organised labour and other stakeholders. Labour’s latest call for renegotiation indicates that the unions want further discussions on wages amid the economic pressures facing workers.

Organised labour is also seeking the implementation of agreed tax relief measures and the resolution of outstanding issues involving the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC).

The JPSNC’s outstanding demands include issues relating to peculiar allowances, wage awards and hazard allowances. The JOHESU dispute, meanwhile, concerns unresolved terms of settlement affecting health-sector workers.

The outcome of Tuesday’s meeting could determine whether the unions continue negotiations or move towards industrial action. For now, the NLC and TUC have not announced a nationwide strike, leaving the decision to their respective organs after the next round of talks.

The unions expect the government to come prepared to address their demands when both sides reconvene.