Trade Union Congress urges sustained food imports amid insecurity, calls for broader wage increases

TUC President-General Festus Osifo stated that an abrupt halt to imports could lead to further increases in staple food prices. Osifo highlighted that while some macroeconomic indicators have stabilized, this has not translated into relief for workers and households facing high living costs. He noted that the cost of preparing jollof rice has more than doubled since President Bola Tinubu took office, and petrol prices have risen sharply after subsidy removal.

The TUC had previously submitted a 15-point demand to the government in early 2024, addressing food insecurity, general insecurity, and the erosion of workers' purchasing power. Osifo emphasized that food imports are necessary because insecurity prevents farmers from accessing their farms, thus limiting domestic supply. He urged the government to address insecurity and improve local food production before discontinuing imports.

Additionally, Osifo called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to further strengthen the naira, suggesting a target rate of N900 to N1,000 to the dollar, as the current rate of around N1,380-N1,400 is still considered too high and contributes to inflation. He also advocated for broader salary adjustments across the Nigerian workforce, following the recent increase for military personnel. The TUC leader reiterated