A nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, crippled Nigeria today after talks with the government collapsed. The intervention by the National Assembly on Sunday night failed to bridge the gap, leaving the country facing economic turmoil.
The NLC, representing millions of Nigerian workers, launched the work stoppage to protest rising electricity costs and a declining standard of living. Union leaders demanded a rollback of electricity prices and a raise in the minimum wage to keep pace with inflation.
The government, however, insisted its economic policies are essential. Officials warned that increasing the minimum monthly wage beyond the N60,000 (U.S.$40.38) it is proposing could burden businesses and lead to layoffs. Negotiations between the NLC and government representatives stalled last week, prompting the National Assembly to step in.
Despite mediation efforts, no agreement materialized. The NLC remains resolute in its demands, threatening to continue the strike until the government makes concessions. The union is demanding that the minimum monthly wage be raised to N494,000 (U.S.$332).
The strike caused significant disruptions in healthcare, aviation, banking, and even essential services such as electricity. The government appealed for patience, but frustrations are likely to mount if the strike drags on.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
