Breaking: Schools And Banks Close As Nationwide-Strike Takes Effect (Videos)

Breaking: Schools And Banks Close As Nationwide-Strike Takes Effect (Videos)

Both primary and secondary schools within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) complied with the directives of organized labor to embark on a nationwide strike on Monday.

Initially, some schools opened their doors as early as 8 a.m., welcoming students in large numbers. Daily Post reports that schools around the Asokoro Extension area of the FCT conducted their regular morning routines, including attending assembly in preparation for classes. However, they were later directed to close down in compliance with the nationwide strike.

Similarly, commercial banks along the AYA axis of Abuja were all closed to customers due to the industrial action by organized labor.

A security guard at Access Bank situated along the AYA axis cited the ongoing strike as the reason for the closure. Another guard from UBA expressed the need for higher wages, stating, “Our salary is too small, so we are going on strike. We need more money. Banks are closed.”

The strike, initiated by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), aims to push for an increment in workers’ pay across the country. While organized labor is demanding a new minimum wage of N494,000, the Nigerian government is proposing N60,000.

In a last-minute attempt to stop the strike, leaders of the National Assembly and organized labor met, but the meeting ended in a deadlock as organized labor insisted on commencing the strike.

TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, emphasized that the organized labor would not call off the strike without consulting its members. He stated, “It is difficult and, in fact, impossible for us as labor leaders to call off the strike here. We need to communicate with our various organs, meaning that the industrial action starts on Monday as planned.”