The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to scrap the proposed five per cent tax on petroleum products, warning that it will embark on a nationwide strike if the policy is not withdrawn.
The warning comes amid rising opposition to the measure. The Organised Private Sector (OPS) has also rejected the plan, stressing that it would worsen inflation and push up the cost of living if implemented.
Speculation that the surcharge could take effect in January 2026 has already triggered public anxiety in Nigeria, where fuel pricing changes often lead to unrest.
Responding to the backlash, President Bola Tinubu’s tax committee clarified that no official start date had been set. It added that only the Minister of Finance has the authority to decide whether or when the measure would be rolled out.
The proposed 5% petroleum tax is part of the government’s broader fiscal reforms to boost revenue. However, critics argue that the policy would further strain Africa’s largest oil producer, already grappling with fuel subsidy removal, soaring inflation, and a weakened currency.
