Nigerian Labour Congress takes to the streets in Ondo, Abuja Lagos, Bayelsa, Oyo, others; protests “anti-people policies”

In response to the “anti-people” policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) initiated a nationwide protest Wednesday.

Labour leaders in many parts of the country have assembled at city centres and starting point locations to commence “peaceful protests.”

Demonstrations are being held in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and several states, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Cross River, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.

At the Unity Fountain in Abuja, members of the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) gathered, accompanied by affiliated unions like NUPENG, NUEE, NURTW, and ASUU. Tight security measures were put in place at protest venues across the country.

The protest then moved to the National Assembly where they presented their letter of protest to Senator Ali Ndume, on behalf of the assembly.

Members of the organized Labour in Ondo joined the protest marching to the governor’s office to submit their letter to the state government.

They were received by the special Adviser to the Ondo state governor, on Labour matters, Dare Aragbaye.

The union’s protest has also begun in Lagos amid heavy security. The protesters assembled on the Ikeja under-bridge in Lagos, the starting point of the protest in Lagos.

The Lagos State Parks and Garages management on Tuesday, had said it had put modalities in place to comply with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive for the implementation of 25 per cent reduction in transport fares in a bid to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on residents of the state.

But monitoring the compliance level by the transport workers today at different motor parks the transport fare still remain the same despite the instructions given by then State government and Park management to the drivers.

In Bayelsa State, members of the union have begun the protest in Yenagoa, the state capital.

According to The Punch, several police officers and other security agents are monitoring the protest as organised labour in the state marched along the Mbiama-Yenagoa Road to the Government House.

Joe Ajaero, NLC President, in an interview with Channels Television stated that the protest would continue until the government responded adequately to their demands. The main grievances included the removal of fuel subsidy, increased public school fees, delayed salary payments to university lecturers and workers, and inadequate palliatives for the hardship caused by petrol subsidy removal.

Earlier, President Tinubu addressed the nation, promising to review workers’ salaries and minimum wage, as well as providing palliatives for the manufacturing sector. However, the NLC expressed dissatisfaction, stating that these measures were insufficient to address the current economic hardships faced by citizens.

The labour leaders vowed to deliver their messages to the government, urging immediate policy reversals to alleviate the burden on the poor. As the protests continue, the nation waits to see how the government will respond to the demands of the organised labour.

On Monday, July 31, 2023, President Bola Tinubu in a broadcast urged Nigerians to be patient with his administration.

As part of his administration’s efforts to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, the President assured workers that their minimum wage would soon be reviewed.