At least three states in Nigeria, along with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), experienced a slowdown in economic activities on Monday as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) embarked on a one-week warning strike.
The industrial action was in protest against the non-implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage in several states, despite its approval months ago.
Reports indicate that workers in Nasarawa, Kaduna, Ebonyi states, and the FCT grounded economic activities as they pressed for their demands.
The strike became necessary after some states failed to meet the October and November 2024 timelines for implementing the minimum wage, as stipulated in the National Minimum Wage Act signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2024.
Teachers in the FCT were particularly vocal, expressing dissatisfaction with the refusal of area councils to comply with the ₦70,000 minimum wage.
In Kaduna, activities across ministries and government agencies came to a halt, with workers accusing the state government of partial implementation.
The Kaduna State government, however, claimed to have commenced payment in October, except for what it described as “consequential adjustments.”
In Ebonyi, the strike elicited a sharp reaction from Governor Francis Nwifuru, who issued a 72-hour ultimatum for striking workers to return to their duties or face dismissal.
Nwifuru maintained that his administration had approved a ₦75,000 minimum wage and had begun implementation.
However, workers dismissed this claim, describing it as a mere pronouncement not matched by action.
Reacting to Nwifuru’s ultimatum, the NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, criticized the governor’s stance, labeling his threat “irresponsible” and calling him “alone in a self-righteous journey.”
According to Upah, the strike recorded a high compliance level across the affected states, reflecting the frustration of workers over unmet promises.
“The compliance level has been impressive from state to state,” Upah told journalists. “Governor Francis Nwifuru’s reaction is utterly irresponsible.
And he is quite alone in this self-righteous journey. Quite a number of defaulting governors have taken measures to forestall escalation.”
The NLC’s strike underscores the challenges facing the implementation of the new minimum wage nationwide.
While the federal government and a few states have implemented the new wage structure, many others continue to foot-drag, citing fiscal constraints.
The organized labor’s decision to strike is a clear indication of its determination to ensure that workers are not shortchanged.
As the strike unfolds, the focus remains on how defaulting states will address the demands of their workforce and whether negotiations will yield a resolution to avert prolonged economic disruptions.
