6 Critical Sectors Affected by the Current National Strike in Nigeria 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other organised labour members launched the most recent strike action in Nigeria, which has had a significant impact on the nation’s infrastructure and services in a number of industries.

The nationwide strike is having a negative impact on businesses and households, since there seems to be a halt to all operation.

Several sectors feel the strain as the strike persists, with consequences reaching far and wide, particularly with the nationwide power cuts. 

Here are six critical sectors affected by the ongoing industrial action:

1. Oil and Gas Sector

In an indication of how serious organised labour was about the nationwide strike, some of its affiliates were told to close the oil and gas industry.

The strike has been joined by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), an organisation that is essential to the smooth operation of the nation’s oil and gas industry.

The disruption of oil production, refining, and distribution activities caused by strike participants has a considerable impact on domestic supplies and revenue generation.

2. Power Sector

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) confirmed in a statement that it would participate in the strike, as Pulse had previously reported.

The statement additionally verified that blackouts occurred in Nigeria’s major cities as a result of the national grid blackout. Unreliable electricity supplies are having a negative impact on homes and businesses.

3. Transportation Sector

A further statistic of the continuing strike that is seriously impairing train services, vehicle traffic, and flight operations is Nigeria’s transport sector.

The statewide strike by airport employees, which includes air traffic controllers and ground handling staff, is resulting in flight delays, cancellations, and pandemonium.

According to reports, this interruption causes traveller annoyance and has an impact on companies who depend on air transport for logistics and freight.

According to an article published in The Nation, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced a continuous strike on Monday, June 3, which prevented the Abuja-Kaduna Train Services (AKTS) from operating.

4. Legal Sector

The lack of judicial staff during the strike has caused courts all around the nation to close, bringing the legal system to a complete halt.

The suspension of judicial activities such as trials, hearings, and other related activities has resulted in a delay in the administration of justice. It is anticipated that the backlog of cases would increase, further taxing the already overburdened legal system.

Vanguard reports that the NLC ordered the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to join the strike. It was learned that the Supreme Court, Federal High Court, Court of Appeals, Maitama, and FCT High Court were all closed.

5. Education Sector

Over the years, this vital sector has seen multiple strikes. In the memo directing them to support the strike action, organised labour included a few of its affiliates.

Memoranda urging compliance were reportedly sent by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Nigerian Union of Teachers, College of Education Academic Staff Union, and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, according to Channels TV.

Ahead of the strike, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities are also preparing.

6. Health Sector

The effects of the strike on the healthcare industry are arguably among the most concerning. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are among the healthcare workers taking part in the nationwide strike, which is causing disruptions to healthcare services.

The Zamfara chapter of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives has announced that it has also joined the strike, according to a notice received by Pulse on Monday, June 3.

Patients struggled to get access to necessary medical care because hospitals were operating at a reduced capacity. As previously reported by Pulse, organised labour members forced the Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital (MAWTH) in Kano to close, trapping its patients inside.