Mediaage NG News – ABUJA, Nigeria
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) is to start a two day nationwide protest on the 27th February, 2024 to demand the implementation of a 16 point agreement reached with the government last October.
The NLC president, Innocent Ajaero on Friday in Abuja, said Labour will begin mobilisation of the protest on the 22nd February, at the expiration of the ongoing 14 day ultimatum given to the government issued on the 9th of February.
Mr. Ajaero also said the one million naira minimum wage proposed by the Nigerian government may be insufficient if the naira currency keeps depreciating.
Nigerians are experiencing harsh economic times, with surging cost of living at an all time high.
Upon assuming office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu immediately in his inaugural speech announced the removal of the decades-long fuel subsidy which successive governments have used in keeping the price of fuel pump affordable for Nigerians.
He said the policy was “no longer sustainable”.
He said some few Nigerians are benefitting heavily from the subsidy, to the detriment of the government and majority of the masses.
On Thursday, he met with the 36 state governors to to discuss the crippling cost of living crisis.
One of the country’s most influential traditional rulers, the Sultan of Sokoto, last Wednesday said the country was at a “tipping point”, because of the increasing struggle to buy basic food items by many Nigerians.
He called on the President, Tinubu to address the economic crisis sparked by his decision to cut fuel subsidies.
Nigerians are also struggling with higher transportation costs, added to the rising cost of food commodities. The citizens are increasingly expressing frustration at the harsh economic conditions they are facing.