The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans for a two-day nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and February 28, 2024. NLC’s National President, Joe Ajaero, disclosed that the protest would commence one week after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government, set to conclude on February 23.
During a press briefing in Abuja, Ajaero explained that the decision was reached following an emergency National Executive Council meeting addressing concerns about the economy and the prevailing insecurity in the country. The ultimatum, issued on February 8 by both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, included demands for wage increases, improved access to public utilities, and accusations of the government’s failure to fulfill promises to mitigate the impact of reforms.
Emphasizing the importance of adhering to the 14-day ultimatum, Ajaero urged the Federal Government to avoid disregarding the deadline. The organized labor expressed distress over the plight of millions of Nigerian workers, citing challenges such as hunger, diminished purchasing power, and insecurity, attributed to reforms that have led to increased inflation.
The root of these concerns can be traced back to President Bola Tinubu’s decision in May to abolish a popular yet costly fuel subsidy and the subsequent lifting of restrictions on currency trading by his administration, resulting in more than tripled petrol prices.
