A meeting between representatives of the Nigerian Government and organised labour regarding the recent petrol price hike concluded in Abuja on Wednesday without reaching an agreement.
Leaders from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) attended the session at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The ongoing dissatisfaction among Nigerians over the rising cost of living, exacerbated by the petrol price increase, has prompted these discussions. Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, emphasized the government’s commitment to ongoing dialogue with organised labour, stating that the government will proactively engage rather than wait for tensions to escalate.
While Idris refrained from detailing specific issues discussed, he noted that the conversations are part of a broader, continuous effort to address the concerns of labour. “This is a work in progress but we have not reached anything that we think we can tell Nigerians now,” he remarked. He reiterated the importance of maintaining dialogue for the welfare of the nation.
The meeting, which lasted several hours, included key officials such as Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Minister of Finance Wale Edun National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. From the organised labour side, participants included NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC Deputy President Tommy Okon, among others.
While the meeting was adjourned, no new date for further discussions has been announced, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the government’s approach to the ongoing fuel price issues and the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
