
Nigerian government employees and union workers initiated a nationwide strike on Tuesday, potentially disrupting crucial services while citizens grapple with skyrocketing inflation and economic hardship.
This latest action follows President Bola Tinubu’s implementation of policies including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification since taking office last year. These measures have contributed to a more than doubling of gasoline prices and surging inflation, reaching nearly 30% in January, the highest in almost three decades.
“We are hungry. Nobody can deny this,” declared Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigerian Labor Congress. Others, like Christian Omeje, a shop owner in Abuja, echoed the sentiment, stating, “Things are getting out of hand. Prices keep rising, and the promised government aid hasn’t arrived.”
This strike comes after a previous agreement in October between the government and labor unions. The deal aimed to end earlier strikes with monthly stipends and subsidies to ease the burden of new policies. However, dissatisfaction remains due to unfulfilled promises, including a six-month monthly wage increase of approximately $20 for all workers and three-month payments of $15 for vulnerable households. Additionally, a pledged rollout of gas-powered buses for mass transit failed to materialize.
While most services continued on Tuesday with reduced staff, the strike highlights the mounting frustration among Nigerians struggling with economic challenges. The government faces pressure to address these concerns and find solutions that alleviate the suffering of its citizens.