Nigeria’s organised labour has condemned the latest increase in petrol prices, warning that the development will further drive up transport fares and worsen the economic hardship facing millions of Nigerians.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said the rising cost of petrol was already having a direct impact on transportation and the prices of essential goods and services.
The union expressed concern that repeated increases in the price of petrol were placing additional pressure on workers and low-income households, whose purchasing power has continued to decline.
According to the NLC, higher petrol prices translate into increased operating costs for commercial transporters, with the burden ultimately passed on to commuters through higher fares.
The labour movement warned that the situation could deepen the cost-of-living crisis unless urgent measures were taken to protect Nigerians from the effects of rising energy and transportation costs.
The latest development comes amid continuing concerns over the affordability of basic necessities, with transport costs remaining a major component of household expenditure.
The NLC has repeatedly called for policies that would reduce the economic burden on workers and vulnerable Nigerians while ensuring greater stability in the downstream petroleum sector.
The union said Nigerians should not be left to bear the full consequences of rising fuel costs at a time when many households are already struggling to cope with increased living expenses.
