The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have served a 14-day strike notice on the Federal Government, raising the spectre of nationwide industrial action if their demands are unmet.

The unions, in a statement, said they are furious over the government’s failure to implement a 16-point agreement signed in October 2023. The agreement aimed to address the “massive suffering” caused by the hike in petrol prices and naira devaluation, policies blamed for worsening economic hardship.

“Despite our efforts to ensure industrial peace, the government seems unperturbed by the mass suffering and hardship across the country,” NLC and TUC leaders said in a joint statement. They accused the government of neglecting the welfare of citizens and workers, leaving them with “no choice” but to resort to strike action.

Effective February 9, among others, the two Labour Centres said, “Constrained by this development and recognising the urgency of the situation and the imperative of ensuring the protection and defence of the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers and citizens, the NLC and TUC hereby issue a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government to honour their part of the understanding within 14 days from tomorrow, the 9th day of February 2024.”