The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s plan to reintroduce a 5% tax on petroleum products, labeling it a “reckless act of economic wickedness” against already struggling Nigerians.
The proposed fuel tax—initially suspended—was recently confirmed for reinstatement at a later date, as announced by the Minister of Finance. Defending the move, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, claimed the tax would provide sustainable funding for road infrastructure and help bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit.
In a joint statement released on September 8, TUC President Festus Osifo and Secretary General Nuhu Toro rejected the plan, arguing that Nigerians are already weighed down by high living costs, inflation, and multiple taxes. The union issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government, warning that failure to withdraw the proposal would lead to the shutdown of critical sectors across the country.
“This reckless proposal is nothing but an act of economic wickedness,” the statement read. “Workers and citizens are still grappling with the impact of fuel subsidy removal, surging petrol prices, soaring inflation, and a rapidly devaluing naira.”
TUC emphasized that another levy on fuel would only deepen hardship, stifle businesses, and push more Nigerians into poverty. “The government cannot continue using ordinary citizens as sacrificial lambs for its economic policies,” the union said. “Rather than offer relief or real solutions, it continues to impose additional burdens. This is unacceptable.”
Declaring the proposal as completely unacceptable, the TUC urged the government to scrap the plan in its entirety. They warned that if the demand is ignored, the union would mobilize Nigerian workers for a nationwide resistance.
“Strike action is firmly on the table if the government proceeds with this policy,” the Congress stated. “All TUC state councils, affiliates, and national structures are hereby placed on high alert and are to await further instructions.”
The union also called on civil society groups, student unions, professional associations, religious leaders, and all Nigerians to stand in solidarity with the movement.
“Together, we must resist policies that further impoverish the people and mortgage the nation’s future. Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve economic justice—not endless suffering,” the statement concluded.
