A high-stakes meeting between the Federal Government and Organised Labour late on Monday night concluded without resolution at the State House in Abuja, marking a tense prelude to a planned nationwide protest.
Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), reaffirmed the labor movement’s commitment to a peaceful rally, emphasizing its constitutional duty, following the inconclusive discussions with government representatives on the eve of the scheduled protest.
Chaired by George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the closed-door meeting did not allow media access. Among the notable attendees were Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation, alongside ministers responsible for Labor, Agriculture, Finance, Budget & Planning, and the Head of Service of the Federation. Both major labor centers in the country, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), were also represented, led by Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo, respectively.
The Federal Government had made an appeal to the NLC to defer its planned nationwide protest slated for February 27 and 28, 2024. However, Minister of Information, Muhammad Idris, stated after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday that the government had largely met the labor union’s demands.
In response, the NLC stressed the necessity for the Federal Government to take decisive action, fulfilling its agreements with Organised Labour and addressing the escalating economic challenges facing Nigeria.
The nation contends with surging inflation, particularly in food prices, a foreign exchange crisis, economic hardships, and soaring living costs following the removal of petrol subsidies, which have sparked protests in various parts of the country.
Despite government pressure urging against the planned strike, the NLC remains resolute, asserting that its members will not be deterred from proceeding with their proposed nationwide protest.
