By Our Correspondent
Nigerian workers have renewed their call for urgent government intervention over the rising cost of living, asking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to either bring the price of petrol down to about ₦500 per litre or introduce a ₦500,000 minimum salary for workers.
The fresh demand was contained in a communication by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, to the Federal Government, as workers expressed concern over the growing pressure of high transportation costs, food prices and other essential expenses on their incomes.
The workers argued that the current economic situation has significantly weakened the purchasing power of public servants, making it increasingly difficult for many families to meet their basic needs.
One of the major demands is for the government to take steps to reduce the price of petrol to ₦500 per litre.
According to the workers, cheaper petrol would have a direct impact on transportation costs and could help ease the burden of rising prices across various sectors of the economy.
They also called for an immediate wage award for public servants to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship while broader salary negotiations are being considered.
Beyond the immediate wage relief, the workers proposed a significant increase in the pay structure for public officers.
They want the minimum salary for a worker on Grade Level 01, Step 1 to rise to ₦500,000 per month under a proposed 2027 salary structure.
The proposal reflects the unions’ argument that workers’ salaries must be reviewed in line with the changing economic realities and the cost of basic goods and services.
The workers are also calling for the immediate establishment of a committee to begin discussions on a new National Minimum Wage ahead of January 2027.
They want the process to commence early enough to allow the government, labour and other relevant stakeholders to reach an agreement on a new wage framework.
The demand comes amid continuing concerns over the adequacy of the existing minimum wage in the face of inflation and higher household expenses.
The workers further proposed that salaries and allowances should be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in inflation and the cost of living.
They argued that without a mechanism for regular adjustments, workers could continue to lose purchasing power whenever prices rise significantly.
Other measures proposed include subsidised transportation and affordable housing schemes for civil servants, which the workers believe could provide additional relief to employees.
The workers reportedly gave the Federal Government until September 30, 2026, to respond to their demands.
They said the continued increase in the cost of living was placing considerable pressure on workers and their dependants.
For many Nigerian households, transportation and food expenses consume a substantial portion of monthly earnings, making wage adjustments and other forms of economic relief major issues in the ongoing labour-government discussions.
The latest demands highlight the continuing tension between rising living costs and workers’ incomes in Nigeria.
While the government has implemented economic reforms aimed at restructuring the economy, workers and organised labour have repeatedly called for measures that would ensure ordinary citizens are able to cope with the immediate impact of those reforms.
The debate over petrol prices and wages is therefore expected to remain a major issue as the country moves towards the proposed 2027 salary and minimum-wage discussions.
For workers, the message to the Federal Government is clear: reduce the cost of living, increase workers’ earnings, or provide a combination of measures capable of restoring purchasing power.
The coming days may therefore be significant as workers await the Federal Government’s response to their latest demands.
