Abeokuta, the ancient city of Ogun State, came alive a few days ago as stakeholders gathered at the historic Iwe Iroyin press centre for the 1st Quadrennial and 9th National Delegates Conference of the Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association (PERESSA).
The gathering brought together Labour leaders, activists, and workers, creating a platform to openly challenge government policies that they believe continue to worsen the suffering of Nigerian workers and the masses.
In his address, PERESSA President Rufus Olusesan — who was re-elected unopposed — condemned what he described as the anti-poor stance of the federal government. He lamented that while insecurity spreads unchecked, inflation, unemployment, and high electricity tariffs are pushing both families and businesses into despair.
Olusesan warned against the proposed 5% fuel tax contained in the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, which is scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026. According to him, Nigerians are already reeling under unbearable hardship, with fuel prices jumping from ₦197 to almost ₦1,000 per litre after subsidy removal in 2023. Adding another ₦50 per litre, he argued, would only worsen the survival crisis for millions.
He dismissed recent denials by Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Tax Reform Committee, describing government reassurances as part of a “deceptive rhetoric” that has eroded public trust. He stressed that such statements often pacify citizens while harsh policies are quietly prepared behind closed doors.
The Labour leader further criticised the government’s celebration of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, noting that inflation, naira devaluation, and corruption have already stripped it of value. He described it as hypocritical for politicians who enjoy “obscene salaries and perks” to expect doctors, lecturers, and other workers to survive on what he termed “slave wages.”
Olusesan also announced PERESSA’s outright rejection of the newly approved National Industrial Relations Policy (NIRP) 2025, warning that it threatens to criminalise strikes, weaken unions, and entrench poverty wages under the guise of “harmonious industrial relations.”
Supporting this call, the Deputy General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ismail Bello, urged the Labour movement to unite and resist anti-labour employers. He stressed that no employer has the right to dictate union choices for workers, adding: “As workers, we must stand against anyone who tries to deny us our right to freedom of association.”
For many in the hall, the conference was not just about resolutions but a rallying cry — a reminder that the fight for dignity, fair wages, and workers’ rights in Nigeria is far from over.
