The Nigeria Labour Congress has asked the Federal Government to introduce immediate measures such as cost of living allowance, wage awards and tax relief to cushion the impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis on Nigerian workers.
The union said rising global tensions have worsened fuel prices, transport costs and inflation, deepening hardship for salaries that were already inadequate.
NLC President Joe Ajaero noted that workers were struggling even before the latest spike in energy costs and warned that many households can no longer cope without urgent support.
He explained that the current N70,000 minimum wage has been overtaken by inflation and does not reflect the real cost of food, transport, housing and basic services.
The NLC is therefore pushing for a cost of living allowance to be paid on top of existing wages so that workers can absorb sudden price shocks.
Ajaero said this had been a long standing demand of labour and is now even more urgent because of the combined effects of subsidy removal and external crises.
The union is also seeking temporary wage awards for public sector workers and stronger tax reliefs that will put more money in the pockets of low and middle income earners.
It argued that tax policy should recognise the sharp rise in living costs and protect workers from being pushed further into poverty.
Beyond these measures, the NLC reiterated its call for a broader wage review in 2026 to secure what it calls a living wage rather than a survival wage.
Ajaero stressed that salaries must be linked to real market prices of essentials rather than set without proper data on household needs.
Labour has also restated earlier demands for government to reverse recent fuel price and electricity tariff hikes, which it says are worsening hunger and insecurity.
The congress warned that if nothing is done, it may be forced to escalate its actions in defence of workers and the poor.
According to the NLC, the government should treat the Middle East crisis and its economic fallout as a signal to strengthen social protection, not as an excuse to shift more burdens onto citizens.
It urged authorities to engage labour in sincere dialogue and to design targeted interventions that can be implemented quickly and transparently.
About the author
Spain vs Argentina Finalissima cancelled over Middle East crisis
The 2026 Finalissima match between Spain and Argentina has been cancelled due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East and the failure to agree on a new venue.Spain, winners of Euro 2024, and Argentina, Copa América 2024 champions, had been scheduled to meet on March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. UEFA confirmed in a statement that the game could not go ahead in Qatar because of the current political and security situation in the region.The announcement came after US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and rising tensions that officials said made hosting the match there unsuitable. Following Qatar’s withdrawal as host, UEFA, CONMEBOL and local organisers explored other options, including moving the match to Madrid or Buenos Aires.However, no agreement was reached, with the Argentine Football Association insisting the game be played on neutral ground rather than […]
I left acting for music, not because of trauma, says Ray Emodi
Nollywood actor and singer Ray Emodi has clarified that he did not leave acting because of trauma or family pressure, but to fully pursue his passion for music.He said recent reports suggesting that his exit from Nollywood was driven mainly by traumatic experiences were misleading and did not capture his true motivation. Emodi explained that music has always been his first love and that he had been combining it with acting for years before deciding to focus on it completely.According to him, continuing to split his time between both fields was holding him back from reaching his full potential as an artiste. He confirmed that he had faced difficult moments on some movie sets, including unsafe locations and stressful work conditions, but insisted that these were not the main reasons for his decision.He also noted that while he has spoken […]
Super Eagles friendlies with Jordan, Iran moved to Turkey
The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that the Super Eagles’ planned friendly matches against Jordan and Iran have been moved from the Middle East to Turkey.The games, originally scheduled for Amman in Jordan later this month, were relocated because of rising tensions and security concerns in the region. Nigeria had been set to play Iran on March 27 and Jordan on March 31 in a four nation invitational tournament that also involved Costa Rica.However, Iran has since withdrawn from the event, meaning the Super Eagles will now only take on Jordan in the rearranged programme. According to updates from the Jordan Football Association, the tournament will now take place in Antalya, a major football and tourism hub in Turkey.Officials said the new venue offers a safer environment and easier travel for teams, match officials and supporters. The NFF sees the […]
Man United sink Aston Villa, boost Champions League hopes
Manchester United strengthened their push for a return to the UEFA Champions League with a 3–1 home win over top four rivals Aston Villa on Sunday.The result keeps United ahead of Villa in the league table and gives them a crucial advantage in the tight race for European places. United started brightly and took control of the game with sharp attacking play and high pressing.Their pressure paid off as they broke through Villa’s defence to grab the opening goal and settle early nerves at Old Trafford. Aston Villa responded and pushed forward in search of an equaliser, creating moments of danger for the home side.The visitors eventually levelled, reminding United of the stakes in a match that could shape both clubs’ seasons. United, however, refused to lose control and struck again to restore their lead, lifting the atmosphere inside the […]
Netanyahu mocks false social media rumours about his death
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mocked viral social media rumours falsely claiming that he had died.The claims spread online after his recent televised address, with some users even suggesting the video was generated by artificial intelligence. In response, Netanyahu posted a short video on his official X account, filmed at a cafe outside Jerusalem, to show he is alive and well.Receiving a cup of coffee, he joked in Hebrew, “I’m dead for coffee,” using a common phrase meaning he really loves coffee. He then raised his hands to the camera and asked viewers if they wanted to count his fingers, directly addressing online speculation that earlier footage showed him with six fingers.Social media users had shared slowed clips and screenshots of his last address, claiming what they called an “AI finger glitch” proved the video was fake. Netanyahu used […]
Tinubu has ended Southeast marginalisation, says Umahi
Minister of Works, David Umahi, says President Bola Tinubu has effectively ended the long standing political and infrastructural marginalisation of the Southeast region.He stated this while speaking at a public event where he reviewed federal projects and appointments linked to the zone. Umahi explained that, under Tinubu, the Southeast is receiving more federal attention than at any other time since the return to democracy in 1999.According to him, previous administrations did not give the region the level of inclusion and investment it is currently enjoying. He pointed to his own appointment as Minister of Works as a major signal of change, describing it as the first time since independence that someone from the Southeast is heading the ministry.Umahi said this position has allowed the region to have a stronger voice in national infrastructure planning and execution. The minister listed several […]
Related
Tinubu has ended Southeast marginalisation, says Umahi
Minister of Works, David Umahi, says President Bola Tinubu has effectively ended the long standing political and infrastructural marginalisation of the Southeast region.He stated this while speaking at a public event where he reviewed federal projects and appointments linked to the zone. Umahi explained that, under Tinubu, the Southeast is receiving more federal attention than at any other time since the return to democracy in 1999.According to him, previous administrations did not give the region the level of inclusion and investment it is currently enjoying. He pointed to his own appointment as Minister of Works as a major signal of change, describing it as the first time since independence that someone from the Southeast is heading the ministry.Umahi said this position has allowed the region to have a stronger voice in national infrastructure planning and execution. The minister listed several […]
Tinubu doing well across key sectors, says Gowon
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has praised President Bola Tinubu’s performance, saying the administration is doing well across key sectors of national life.He spoke with State House correspondents after a private meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Gowon said his visit was to greet the President and thank him for the efforts being made to move the country forward.According to him, the government is working in political, economic and social areas, as well as in tackling security challenges. He acknowledged that Nigerians are facing difficulties but urged citizens to be patient and give the administration time for its reforms to yield fuller results.He added that it is too early to expect all problems to be solved, noting that major policy changes usually take time to reflect in people’s daily lives. Gowon encouraged Nigerians […]
Fuel price hike: Presidency faults Obi on strategic reserve proposal
The Presidency has rejected claims by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi that Nigeria’s rising fuel prices are mainly due to a lack of strategic petroleum reserves.It said Obi’s comments oversimplify a complex problem and ignore the deeper structural challenges that have long affected the country’s energy sector. In a statement shared on social media, presidential aide Dada Olusegun argued that recent increases in petrol prices are largely driven by global market forces, not the absence of strategic reserves.He noted that many advanced economies with large reserves still experience price swings because reserves are not used simply to stop normal market movements. Olusegun stressed that Nigeria’s main problem lies in decades of low refining capacity, heavy dependence on imported petrol, and pressure on the foreign exchange market.He said these long term issues make the country highly vulnerable whenever international […]
National Museum names Dufuna canoe, Lugard Bridge top heritage sites
The National Commission for Museums and Monuments has listed the ancient Dufuna canoe and Lugard’s Footbridge as two of Nigeria’s most important heritage sites.The commission said both sites reflect key phases in Nigeria’s history, from prehistoric innovation to the colonial era. The Dufuna canoe, discovered in 1987 near the village of Dufuna in Yobe State, is regarded as the oldest known boat in Africa and the second oldest in the world.Radiocarbon dating places the canoe at about 8,000 years old, showing that advanced boat-making and fishing activities existed in the region thousands of years ago. According to the commission, the canoe offers rare insight into early human settlement, transport, and trade along the Komadugu Gana River and surrounding communities.It described the artefact as a national and global treasure that strengthens Nigeria’s place in discussions on world archaeology and early technology. […]
Ex-Super Eagles legend Henry Nwosu dies at 62
Former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu has died at the age of 62, plunging Nigerian football into deep mourning.He reportedly passed away around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in intensive care for several days. The news of his death was announced by his former teammate and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Segun Odegbami, who shared the sad development on his media platforms.Odegbami revealed that Nwosu battled for his life for about five days in the hospital before he passed on. Henry Nwosu was a key member of Nigeria’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations squad, which delivered the country’s first-ever AFCON title on home soil.As the youngest player in that team, he was widely admired for his creativity, vision, composure on the ball, and excellent reading […]
Iran envoy urges global action on Palestinian crisis
Iran’s ambassador has called for urgent, coordinated international action to address what Tehran describes as a deepening humanitarian and political crisis facing the Palestinian people. Speaking against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel–Palestine war and wider strikes in the region, the envoy urged Muslim and non Muslim nations, especially members of the Non Aligned Movement, to speak out more forcefully against Israeli military operations and the blockade on Gaza. He argued that silence or “neutrality” in the face of rising civilian casualties amounts to complicity. The ambassador called on the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly to move beyond statements and adopt “urgent, collective measures” to halt attacks on civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, ensure accountability for alleged war crimes and guarantee the delivery of humanitarian aid. He also pressed for sustained funding for UNRWA and other […]
Be the first to leave a comment