As the cost of living crisis continues to grip Nigeria, organized labor has begun mobilizing its members for a nationwide protest scheduled for February 27th and 28th. This move follows a meeting of the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) via Zoom on Friday, February 16th, where leaders reviewed the resolution regarding the agreement between labor unions and the Federal Government. Sources indicate that failure to implement this agreement promptly may lead to nationwide demonstrations.
The decision to proceed with the protest came after the Federal Government reportedly failed to fulfill promises made to labor unions within a 14-day ultimatum. According to sources, the protest is aimed at addressing the pressing issues affecting millions of Nigerian workers, including hunger, eroding purchasing power, and insecurity exacerbated by economic reforms driving inflation.
While labor unions gear up for the protest, the country faces another challenge with fuel scarcity as a result of a strike by the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO). The strike, which began on Monday, has led to fuel queues in several states across the country, adding to the economic woes already burdening citizens.
Despite efforts by the government to negotiate with NARTO to avert the strike and address the concerns of tanker drivers, the looming nationwide protests underscore the deepening discontent among Nigerians over the state of the economy. As tensions rise, authorities are urged to engage with labor leaders constructively to find lasting solutions to the country’s economic challenges and mitigate the impact on citizens’ livelihoods.