The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the Federal Government proceeds with its planned 5% tax on petroleum products.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, September 8, TUC President Festus Osifo and Secretary General Nuhu Toro described the proposed tax as a “reckless act of economic wickedness” against Nigerians already struggling with hardship.
The warning comes after the government announced plans to reintroduce the fuel tax, with the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, stating that revenue from the levy would be used to fund road projects and address infrastructure deficits.
Rejecting the proposal, the TUC argued that citizens were already overburdened with multiple taxes, subsidy removal, soaring fuel prices, food inflation, and a weakening naira.
“This reckless proposal is nothing but an act of economic wickedness against already overburdened Nigerians,” the statement read. “To now introduce another levy on petroleum products is to deliberately compound suffering, cripple businesses, and push millions deeper into poverty. Government cannot continue to use Nigerians as sacrificial lambs for its economic experiments.”
The union gave the government 14 days to withdraw the plan or face nationwide action that could shut down critical sectors. It also directed its affiliates to remain on alert.
“Strike action is firmly on the table if government dares to ignore this warning,” TUC said, while calling on civil society groups, professional bodies, student unions, market associations, and faith leaders to stand in solidarity against the proposed tax.