The **[Nigeria Labour Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria_Labour_Congress)** has demanded that the **[Federal Government](https://www.gov.ng/)** drop what it calls “insensitive policies” that have permitted unchecked hikes in the price of petroleum products, a stance voiced after a joint meeting of its National Executive Council and Central Working Committee in Abuja.
**What did the NLC demand?**
The labour federation, through its president Joe Ajaero, urged immediate action to lower the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, and to halt policies that enrich a few oil marketers while impoverishing the masses.
**How does the government plan to control petrol prices?**
The government recently announced a 30‑day price‑modulation scheme that aims to cap the ex‑gantry or landing cost of petrol at **₦1,350 per litre**, subject to monthly reviews. This ceiling, however, does not guarantee that stations will sell at that price; it is intended to shield consumers from sharp fluctuations in global crude prices and exchange rates.
**What impact does the price rise have on Nigerians?**
According to the NLC, the high pump price has a domino effect on transport fares, food costs and other essentials, deepening hardship for workers and the broader population. Ajaero warned that inflation remains unchecked, the naira is “traumatised”, wages have lost value and the cost of living is becoming unbearable.
> “The government must abandon its insensitive policies that have allowed for > indiscriminate hikes in the price of petroleum products which has only > served to enrich a handful of oil marketers while pauperising the masses,” > Ajaero said.
The NLC also criticised what it described as “neo‑liberal policies” of the state, accusing the ruling elite of transferring the burden of fiscal mismanagement onto already impoverished workers while aligning with global monopoly capital.
**What are the next steps?**
The labour body called on relevant agencies to work with the government to swiftly reduce the price of **[Premium Motor Spirit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrol_in_Nigeria)** and to reconsider the policy framework that has led to the current crisis.