Nigeria’s largest labour organization, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has declared a two-day warning strike starting Tuesday to protest what the union calls the government’s failure to enter into dialogue and engage stakeholders within the organised labour on efforts to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on Nigerians.

NLC President Joe Ajaero announced the planned action on Friday following a meeting of the union’s National Executive Council. He accused the government of abandoning negotiations and not implementing previously agreed resolutions.

Labor groups held widespread demonstrations on August 2 over soaring costs after subsidy removal. Despite several rounds of talks on relief measures since President Bola Tinubu took office, unions say the suffering of Nigerians has only increased.

The NLC blames rising petrol prices, school fees hikes, unpaid lecturer salaries, and broader economic pressures on citizens directly on the government’s “anti-poor policies.” The union is demanding a minimum wage increase from N30,000 to N200,000.

The warning strike escalates tensions between the NLC and the new administration. The union aims to force the government back to the negotiating table to deliver concrete relief to working families.

Analysts say the action threatens to disrupt sectors like banking, aviation, health, and education. But labor groups argue drastic steps are needed to spur urgency from the government over the economic crisis.