President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, revealed on Friday that the organised labour turned down an offer to increase petrol pump prices during their recent discussions with President Bola Tinubu on a new minimum wage.
The meeting, held at the Presidential Villa, focused on reaching an agreement on the minimum wage, with the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) initially pushing for N250,000 but later settling for N70,000.
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Speaking on Arise News’ Morning Show, Ajaero detailed how President Tinubu suggested increasing the pump price as a trade-off for accepting a N250,000 minimum wage. “We stalemated at N62,000 because even the states were unwilling to pay,” Ajaero said. He explained that Tinubu proposed an increase in the petrol pump price, citing higher prices in neighboring West African countries. However, labour immediately rejected this proposal.
“He said, ‘If you agree for me to increase, I will pay you N250,000, if not, you take N62,000,’” Ajaero recalled. Labour insisted that the discussions should focus solely on minimum wage. After a one-week adjournment, they returned to the President and agreed on N70,000, making it clear that they were not negotiating the pump price.
Ajaero also addressed the recent increase in petrol prices, confirming that the NLC’s organs would meet next week to discuss the issue. “No NLC president can declare a strike without meeting with the necessary organs, whether it’s the Central Working Committee (CWC) or the National Executive Council (NEC),” he said, adding that consultations were already in motion.
He emphasized that any decision on the matter would be made collectively to avoid a leader’s personal view overshadowing the members’ position.
