Nigeria’s main labour unions on Monday shut down the national grid and disrupted airline operations across the country as they began an indefinite strike over the government’s electricity tariff hikes and failure to agree on the minimum wage
This strike is the fourth embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), two of the country’s biggest unions, since President Bola Tinubu took office last year.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said union members drove away operators at the country’s power control rooms and shut down at least six substations, which eventually shut the national grid at 02:19 am (0119 GMT).
Nigerian airline Ibom Air said it was suspending flights until further notice due to the strike, while another, United Nigeria, said airports across the country have been shut down and that striking workers had permitted none of its flights to operate.
“Significant disruptions are ongoing nationwide on June 3 due to a strike by various unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC). The action is in response to demands regarding electricity tariffs and minimum wages,” various Nigerian media platforms reported. “Various sectors are impacted including aviation, railway, electricity, and gas. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has noted ongoing power cuts nationwide. Striking participants have also blocked access to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV) and Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) airports. Disruptions to domestic and international flights have been reported.”
Similar disruptions to various sectors (air, road, and maritime transport, utilities, government services, business operations, and healthcare services, among others) will likely continue over the coming days if no agreement is reached with the government. Additional related protests are likely, including along main roads, near government buildings in main urban centers, and at transport hubs, including airports. Clashes between protesters and security forces are possible, particularly if demonstrators are overly disruptive, block traffic, or ignore police orders to disperse.
