NATIONWIDE STRIKE GAINS MOMENTUM AS NLC RECEIVES STRONG BACKING AMIDST SUBSIDY REMOVAL BACKLASH 

Recall that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has initiated a nationwide two-day warning strike in response to the economic challenges following the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidies.

Following this announcement, the (NLC) has garnered substantial support from various sectors, including some branches of the  Academic Staff Union of Universities, the banking industry, civil society organizations, and workers’ unions. They have united to address the growing economic crisis facing the nation.

The National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) has declared that all banks will remain closed today being Tuesday, September 5th, and tomorrow Wednesday, September 6th, 2023, in alignment with the NLC’s two-day strike directive. Aboderin Olusola, the Senior Deputy General Secretary of NUBIFIE, reaffirmed their commitment to the NLC’s cause, emphasizing the importance of unity among industrial unions during these challenging times.

While some branches of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, such as the University of Lagos (UNILAG), have opted not to participate and expressed their reservations about being involved, others like the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), the University of Port Harcourt (UniPort), and the Federal University Otuoke in Bayelsa State, have pledged their support to the NLC, asserting their affiliation with the union.

Likewise, Wale Okunniyi, the Head of the National Coordinating Centre for the United Action Front of Civil Society, has condemned the hardships faced by Nigerians due to the removal of fuel subsidies. He expressed full support of the union for the NLC’s two-day warning strike.

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has also instructed all its affiliates to participate in the two-day nationwide strike. Adewale Adeyanju, the MWUN President General, cited the government’s failure to engage with labor regarding the consequences of the petrol price hike as the reason for their support.