NLC Declares Nationwide Strike Wednesday Amid Fuel Subsidy Removal

A nationwide strike has been called to begin on next Wednesday by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Following an urgent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero made the declaration.

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The decision was made, according to the legislature, as a result of the nationwide fuel shortages that followed President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of the elimination of subsidies in his inauguration address.

According to Tinubu, the 2023 budget did not include funding for fuel subsidies, hence the payment was no longer warranted.

He declared that in order to strengthen the economy, the government would instead invest in infrastructure and other areas.

However, the president’s statement caused shortages and protracted fuel lines all around the nation.

Currently, the cost of petrol has increased to about N500 per litre.

According to Ajaero, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has until Wednesday of the next week to reinstate the previous gasoline price.

He continued by saying that if the Federal Government didn’t comply with the deadline, there would be nationwide demonstrations that would go forever.

A one-hour discussion on the subject between the Federal Government and the NLC on Wednesday came to a standstill.

Before starting new negotiations with labour, the NLC insisted that the Federal Government restore the status quo by capping the price of fuel.

According to Ajaero, the administration refused to even discuss palliative measures for Nigerians, which is why an industrial action is set to start the following Wednesday.