National Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero has revealed that President Bola Tinubu proposed sponsoring the union’s tour of West African countries where petrol prices are as high as N2,000.

Ajaero made this disclosure during a two-day workshop in Lagos, emphasizing the need for the government to urgently address the rising fuel prices and their impact on workers’ livelihoods.

According to Ajaero, the government suggested funding a trip to neighboring West African nations to study their fuel pricing.

However, he insisted that the focus should instead be on preventing fuel smuggling across Nigerian borders. “Mr. President also offered to sponsor our trip to some West African countries, where the lowest petrol price is N1,700. He said in Cameroon, petrol is sold for N2,000, and none of these countries have refineries—they source their products from Nigeria,” Ajaero explained.

The NLC president declined the offer, citing concerns that Nigerians would accuse the union of being bribed. Ajaero emphasized that securing the borders is crucial to preventing fuel smuggling, which is driving up prices in neighboring countries.

This development comes amid growing concerns over the impact of rising fuel prices on workers’ livelihoods.

The NLC has been advocating for the government to address the issue, citing the erosion of benefits from the proposed N70,000 new national minimum wage due to the fuel price hike.