Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeruka Onyejeocha, has appealed to Nigerians for understanding over the recent surge in fuel prices, stating that even President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is affected by the situation.
Onyejeocha made this plea during a Town Hall meeting in Abuja on Friday, where she discussed the impact of President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda and the government’s efforts to alleviate the hardship caused by the fuel subsidy removal.
She emphasized that the president, like all Nigerians, is dealing with the consequences of the fuel price increase.
Speaking at the engagement with labour leaders and employers, Onyejeocha said the rise in petroleum prices has caused logistical challenges not only for the average citizen but also for the president.
“The President is aware of the hardship that the increase in petrol pump price has caused Nigerians,” Onyejeocha said.
She added, “It has brought hardship even to himself. The President is human. Let me tell you how it affects him. When he comes out, there are no vehicles, and sometimes they don’t get enough money to buy fuel. It affects everyone, to be honest.”
The minister urged Nigerians to come together to find solutions to the fuel crisis and expressed hope that collective efforts would bring meaningful results.
In her message, Onyejeocha asked for more understanding from the Nigerian public, noting that the fuel price hike has left no one untouched, regardless of status.
“So, I plead with all of us to show more understanding. When one is down, everybody is down. There is nobody that is unaffected,” she said.
She emphasized the need for unity and cooperation, asking Nigerians to “put our hands and our heads together under one roof to find a way forward.”
Onyejeocha’s comments come at a time when the removal of the fuel subsidy has led to public outcry over rising costs of living, with many citizens calling for government intervention.
The fuel subsidy, which had long been a source of controversy in Nigeria, was removed by President Tinubu’s administration in May 2023 as part of a broader economic reform aimed at stabilizing the nation’s finances.
Since then, fuel prices have more than tripled, leading to widespread discontent as the cost of goods and services skyrockets.
During the Town Hall engagement, Onyejeocha also addressed concerns about the delay in implementing a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
She reassured workers that discussions were in progress and that the government was committed to ensuring fair compensation for all employees.
“As we speak, there’s a meeting on the government side this morning on the new minimum wage and consequential adjustment,” Onyejeocha stated.
She explained that once the tripartite committee—consisting of representatives from the government, labour unions, and employers—reaches an agreement on the new wage figures, payments will begin.
However, Onyejeocha stressed that the federal government should not be blamed for the delays, noting that labour unions had yet to finalize their positions on the matter.
“We will not take responsibility for why the figures have delayed,” she said. “It doesn’t take rocket science to figure out what we should really give.”
Her comments reflect the administration’s efforts to address growing frustration among workers, many of whom have seen their purchasing power drastically reduced by the increase in fuel prices.
Onyejeocha highlighted the critical role of organised labour in the success of the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The agenda, which focuses on national unity and progress, relies heavily on ensuring decent work conditions for all Nigerians and maintaining industrial peace and harmony in workplaces.
“I make no excuses, as this government is determined and committed to tackling all socio-economic ills that have troubled our nation,” she said.
Onyejeocha added that the government was collaborating with policymakers, employers, and workers to generate sustainable solutions for the country’s economic challenges.
She called on all stakeholders to work together toward national growth and development, stressing that the success of the administration’s goals would depend on everyone’s collective efforts.