The Nigeria Labour Congress and its counterpart, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, have jointly issued a nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government. This action comes in response to the failure of the Bola Tinubu-led administration to fulfill the agreements reached on October 2, 2023, after the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol.

Leaders of both the NLC and TUC express dismay that despite the organized efforts of labor to maintain industrial peace, the government appears unmoved by the widespread suffering and hardship experienced across the country.

The agreements made on October 2 aimed to address the significant suffering and adverse socioeconomic effects caused by the poorly conceived and implemented policies, including the hike in the price of PMS and the devaluation of the naira, influenced by the IMF/World Bank. These policies have resulted in dire economic consequences for the masses and workers of Nigeria, as predicted by the unions’ statement on Thursday.

The unions regret having to resort to such measures but assert that the persistent neglect of citizens’ welfare and the extensive hardship leave them with no alternative.

Effective February 9 (tomorrow), the two labor unions have announced various actions. They emphasize the urgency of the situation and the necessity of safeguarding the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers and citizens. Therefore, the NLC and TUC issued a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the fulfillment of their obligations within 14 days from February 9, 2024.