The escalating Iran–Israel–US conflict has triggered a sharp rise in petrol prices across Nigeria, with pump prices climbing to about ₦1,300 per litre, deepening economic hardship for millions of citizens.
Reacting to the development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to urgently introduce relief measures for Nigerian workers struggling with the rising cost of living.
In a statement titled “Save Nigerians From This Shock: An Urgent Relief Has Become Necessary,” the NLC, led by its president Joe Ajaero, warned that the surge in petrol prices is worsening the already severe economic pressure on workers and ordinary Nigerians.
According to the labour union, the military escalation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has rattled global oil markets and sent crude prices soaring, with ripple effects being felt in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
The union said Nigerian workers are now bearing the cost of an international crisis they did not create, stressing that petrol prices have surged to between ₦1,170 and ₦1,300 per litre in several parts of the country.
To cushion the impact of the fuel price spike, the labour union urged the government to immediately introduce a series of economic relief measures.
Among its key demands are:
- Immediate wage awards and cost-of-living allowances (COLA) for workers
- Tax relief for workers, including suspending taxes on low-income earners
- Expansion and reform of the Cash Transfer Programme to support vulnerable Nigerians
- Greater transparency in social intervention programmes
The NLC argued that the rising cost of petrol, diesel and transportation has made it increasingly difficult for
The labour group also blamed Nigeria’s vulnerability to global fuel price shocks on the failure of successive governments to maintain functional public refineries.
It called on the government to urgently revive the Port Harcourt Refinery, Warri Refinery, and Kaduna Refinery, arguing that relying heavily on imported refined products leaves the country exposed to international market volatility.
The NLC also pointed to recent price adjustments by the Dangote Refinery, noting that domestic refining alone cannot fully shield Nigeria from global oil price shocks if petrol pricing remains tied to international crude markets.
Oil Market Turmoil
The Middle East conflict has already disrupted major oil supply routes, including shipping lanes around the Strait of Hormuz, sending crude prices higher and triggering volatility in global energy markets. (
The surge in crude prices has directly pushed up petrol prices in Nigeria, where fuel costs have risen rapidly since the war escalated.
Industry players have also warned that the situation could worsen. The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has projected that petrol prices could climb as high as ₦2,000 per litre if the Middle East conflict persists.
Workers Facing Rising Hardship
The NLC warned that the continuous increase in fuel prices could trigger wider economic consequences, including rising transport fares, food inflation and declining purchasing power for workers.
It urged the Federal Government to engage in meaningful dialogue with labour unions and ensure that any economic windfall Nigeria gains from rising crude oil prices is used to ease the suffering of citizens.
The union stressed that the welfare and security of Nigerians must remain the government’s top priority amid the global crisis.
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