BREAKING: NLC/TUC take final decision on indefinite strike after meeting with National Assembly

FCT, Abuja – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced today, June 3, that they will proceed with an indefinite strike over the new minimum wage. This decision comes despite last-minute efforts by the National Assembly leadership to prevent the strike, which threatens to disrupt economic activities nationwide. The labour unions stated that they would convene to discuss the National Assembly leadership’s appeal to suspend the strike and engage in further dialogue.

The strike aims to compel the government to implement a new minimum wage, which the unions argue is long overdue. The unions have accused the government of procrastination on this issue. Following a closed-door meeting lasting four hours, Festus Osifo, the president of the TUC, addressed reporters, saying: “The Senate President appealed to us to call off the strike. But we can’t sit here and call off the strike because we have other organs. We will take the appeals to our various organs. For now, the strike action will commence, while we discuss with our organs.”

The meeting, called by the principal officers of the National Assembly, was presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajuddeen Abbas. Attendees included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Finance, Dr. Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Nkiruka Onyejiocha, among others.

In response to the strike, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration issued a stern warning to workers considering joining the industrial action. The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), cautioned that workers who abandon their duties risk a six-month jail term. This ongoing situation highlights the tension between the Nigerian government and labour unions as they navigate the contentious issue of minimum wage implementation.

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