On September 1, 2023, NLC Chairman Joe Ajaello held a press conference at the Labor Hall in Abuja. He announced that a strike was being initiated due to the federal government’s perceived inability to address the negative impacts resulting from the elimination of fuel subsidies. The decision was made at the previous day’s National Executive Committee meeting, where concern was expressed over the breakdown of negotiations and the government’s failure to implement previous decisions.

Background

Recently, organized trade unions held protests on August 2 in various states, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross Rivers, Ebony, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, and Ondo. The protests were in response to what the unions consider “anti-grassroots policies” under President Bola Tinub’s government. The demonstrators demanded that the federal government reverse any measures that may be detrimental to the public interest. These measures include the recent increase in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices, public school tuition hikes, and the elimination of eight months’ salary deductions for university teachers. Additionally, the National Labour Congress (NLC) requested an increase in the minimum wage from 30,000 to 200,000. The NLC claims that the abolition of fuel subsidies, which was announced in President Tinubu’s May 29 inaugural address, has negatively impacted the Nigerian population. Meetings were held between the president’s office and labour unions to address public concern over the end of fuel subsidies, but little progress was made. NLC chairman Joe Ajaello criticized the FCT for allocating only £5 billion to states to soften the impact of subsidy cuts, stating that the calculated amount was less than ₦1,500 per person. He questioned whether the funding was a loan or intended to save the state and its people.