Workers have shut all of Lagos state’s ports on the first day of nationwide strikes in Nigeria.
The call from the country’s two biggest unions – the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) – is not yet being observed everywhere but disruptions are expected at hospitals, railway stations and schools.
Union members are demanding that salary arrears be paid, ghost workers be removed from the government payroll and for an inquiry into the recent assault of NLC President Joe Ajaero.
As of Monday afternoon, union members’ actions have caused:
- Blackouts in parts of Nigeria as electricity union workers shut the grid – although the state power company denies this
- Train passengers to be stranded in oil-rich Delta state and the economic hub Lagos
- Pupils and teachers to be sent home from state primary and secondary schools – but some secondary schools in Ogun state have stayed open.
Some other unions are expected to join from Tuesday.
The government has described the strike action as illegal and “not in national interest”.
There is expected to be a meeting between the union and government representatives.
