The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged both federal and state governments to promptly provide a Wage Award and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to all workers as a measure to ease the burden of escalating living costs. They highlight the urgency given the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, which has significantly impacted fuel prices in Nigeria, causing them to soar to between N1,170 and N1,300 per litre. In their statement, the NLC emphasized that millions of Nigerian workers are unfairly facing the consequences of a global economic crisis that they did not contribute to.

NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed concerns over Nigeria's substantial oil revenue, projected at N30 trillion due to the current geopolitical situation, warning against the mismanagement that accompanied past oil windfalls. The labor organization is advocating for transparency and accountability in how these funds are utilized to benefit the Nigerian populace rather than allowing them to be squandered or unaccounted for, akin to previous oil revenue scenarios.

The NLC's call to action comes at a critical time as they highlight the severe strain that increasing petrol prices impose on transportation and food prices, exacerbating inflation and pushing many workers into precarious economic situations. The demand for immediate government intervention reflects the broader struggle of Nigerian workers amid the rising costs and denotes a growing frustration with government inaction on pressing economic issues.