The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other related unions have commenced their protests in Abuja, Lagos, Jos, Ogun, Gombe, Kano, Ibadan, and other major cities over the high cost of living, insecurity, and hardship in the country.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, led the workers on a protest match, which kicked off at the Labour House national headquarters of the Congress in Abuja, and ended at the National Assembly complex.
Unions taking part in the protest include the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the FCT Council, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, and the Nigeria Union of Teachers and Construction Workers’ Union, among others.
Also present at the national protest are former Nigerian Country Director, ActionAid, Ene Obi, and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, among others.
The NLC President, speaking before the commencement of the protest, said, “The government said we should not do a rally. They used peaceful means and threats but we are in God’s hands.
“We are here for a rally so that Mr President will know how Nigerians feel and know where it is pinching us.”
In compliance with the NLC directive, workers in Lagos, Cross River, Ebonyi, Gombe, Oyo, Ondo, Kogi, Kano, Rivers and other states hit the streets to press home their demands for an end to ‘hunger, poverty and insecurity’.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) across the states had promised to provide security for peaceful protesters and other law-abiding citizens during the protests, even as it warned troublemakers to steer clear of the processions.
There have been widespread protests throughout Nigeria regarding the high cost of living experienced by its citizens.
On February 8, 2024, both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice to the government due to its failure to implement agreements reached on October 2, after the removal of the fuel subsidy.
Organized labor commenced mobilizing its members last week Monday for a nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and 28, addressing the country’s escalating cost of living crisis.
However, just 24 hours before the planned protests, the TUC announced that it was not endorsing the scheduled protests declared by the NLC. It emphasized that the decision to protest on February 27 and 28, as announced by the NLC, was not jointly agreed upon by both unions.
Efforts by the Federal Government to convene a last-minute meeting on Monday night to avert the proposed nationwide protest ultimately ended without a resolution.