A storm is brewing in Nigeria’s labour sector as the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issues a stark ultimatum to the Federal Government to withdraw the proposed 5% petroleum tax or face a nationwide strike.
The warning, delivered in a joint statement by TUC President General Festus Osifo and General Secretary Nuhu Toro, signals a deepening crisis over economic policy and worker rights.
Economic Pressure Cooker
The proposed levy comes at a time when Nigerians are already grappling and groaning with the fallout from fuel subsidy removal, skyrocketing pump prices, food inflation, and a weakening naira.
The TUC described the tax as “economic wickedness,” accusing the government of weaponising policy against vulnerable citizens. To now introduce another levy is to deliberately compound suffering, cripple businesses, and push millions deeper into poverty,” the union stated.
The TUC’s rhetoric reflects growing public frustration with what many see as a pattern of punitive economic experiments. The union warned that if the government proceeds with the tax, it will have no other option than to mobilise mass resistance across the country.
Strike looming:
The threat of a nationwide strike is not idle. The TUC has already directed its state councils, affiliates, and grassroots structures to prepare for decisive action. Civil society groups, student unions, religious leaders, and market associations have been called upon to join the resistance.
“Strike action is firmly on the table,” the statement read. “Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve economic justice, not endless punishment.”
Labour Rights Under Siege:
In a parallel development, the TUC also condemned alleged anti-labour practices within the Dangote Group. The union cited reports from NUPENG accusing the conglomerate of denying workers the right to unionise and subjecting them to intimidation.
“We will not fold our arms while Dangote treats Nigerian workers as slaves in their own country,” the TUC declared.
The union demanded immediate recognition of affected unions, including PENGASSAN, CANMPSSAN, TGTSSAN, and NUPENG, warning that failure to comply would trigger nationwide solidarity action in concert with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
What’s Really at Stake?:
This two-edged confrontation—against both government policy and corporate labour violations—marks a critical moment for Nigeria’s labour movement. Analysts caution that if the petroleum tax is implemented without consultation, it could ignite widespread unrest and further erode trust in public institutions.
Meanwhile, the Dangote labour dispute raises questions about corporate accountability and the enforcement of labour laws in Nigeria’s private sector. The TUC’s aggressive posture suggests a broader shift toward more confrontational advocacy, with implications for industrial relations nationwide.