The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has issued a 14-day strike notice to the Federal Government over its plan to reintroduce a 5% fuel consumption tax on petroleum products.

In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, September 8, TUC leaders Festus Osifo (President) and Nuhu Toro (General Secretary) described the proposed levy as “economic wickedness” against already struggling Nigerians.

The Federal Government had earlier announced plans to revive the fuel tax at a date to be disclosed by the Minister of Finance. According to Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, the revenue generated would be used to fund road projects and address infrastructure gaps.

But the TUC disagreed, saying Nigerians were already weighed down by the impact of subsidy removal, skyrocketing fuel prices, food inflation, and a weakening naira.

“Workers and citizens are still reeling from the pains of subsidy removal and economic hardship. To now introduce another levy on petroleum products is to deliberately compound suffering, cripple businesses, and push millions deeper into poverty,” the statement read.

The union warned that unless the government withdraws the tax proposal within two weeks, it will mobilize workers across critical sectors for a nationwide strike.

TUC also called on civil society groups, student unions, market associations, professional bodies, and faith leaders to join in resisting the policy.

“Enough is enough. Nigerians deserve economic justice, not endless punishment,” the union declared.

For now, all TUC state councils and affiliates have been placed on standby, as the country waits to see if the government will back down or risk a major showdown with labour.