July 26,2022

The National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, the National Union of Electricity Employees, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals and the Air Transport Employees (NUATE) have resolved to join the nationwide protest of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) taking place today and tomorrow in solidarity with the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities.

ASUU had, on February 14, embarked on strike demanding implementation of the October 2009 ASUU/FGN agreement.

The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, had, last week, described the proposed protest “unconstitutional” and a recipe for anarchy.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, had also warned the NLC against the protest, saying a security report from the Department of State Service did not favour it.

In an interview with Daily Trust yesterday, NLC President Ayuba Wabba, said the labour had informed the police about the protest.

He noted that the Police Act mandates the police to provide cover for lawful assemblies.

As of yesterday, the Force Headquarters did not issue any warning against the protest.

The NLC president clarified that work places would not be shut down during the protest.

NUATE General Secretary, Ocheme Aba, told Daily Trust yesterday that the union would participate in the solidarity protest.

He, however, said the protest would not disrupt flight operations. 

Fielding questions from journalists at the sideline of the ongoing 18th NLC Rain School 2022, NPC President Wabba said the labour would go a three-day warning strike immediately after the protest and might go on an indefinite strike if the government failed to resolve the issues that caused the ASUU strike.

Wabba also described the fall of naira as very frightening, saying “it erodes the purchasing power of workers.”