On the inaugural day of nationwide strikes in Nigeria, workers have closed down all ports within Lagos state.
The directive issued by Nigeria’s two largest unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), is not uniformly adhered to nationwide. However, disruptions are anticipated at hospitals, railway stations, and schools.
Union members are rallying for the payment of overdue salaries, the removal of ghost workers from the government payroll, and an investigation into the recent attack on NLC President Joe Ajaero.
By Monday afternoon, the activities of union members have resulted in:
- Blackouts in parts of Nigeria as electricity union workers shut the grid – although the state power company denies this
- Train passengers to be stranded in oil-rich Delta state and the economic hub Lagos
- Pupils and teachers to be sent home from state primary and secondary schools – but some secondary schools in Ogun state have stayed open.
Some other unions are expected to join from Tuesday.
The government has labeled the strike action as unlawful and “not in national interest.”
A meeting between union representatives and government officials is anticipated to take place.
