In compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (TUC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike, nineteen unions have so far joined the strike action.

Thelagostimes recalls that the National Executive Council meeting of the labour unions held on November 13, 2023, in Abuja, resolved to embark on the strike.

The development was a result of the alleged failure of the Federal Government to address issues affecting workers, such as the minimum wage, insecurity, corruption, and poor governance.

Punch Newspaper reports that the unions had made some demands, which the government had allegedly failed to address following the recent crisis in Imo that resulted in the alleged brutalisation of the NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, and other members of the labour unions.

Some of the unions that have complied with the directives include,

1. The Academic Staff Union of Universities.
2. The Senior Staff Associations of Nigerian Universities.
3. The College of Education Academic Staff Union.
4. The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.
5. The National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees.
6. The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics.
7. The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria.
8. National Association of Academic Technologists.
9. National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees.
10. Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employees.
11. Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria.
12. Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers.
13. National Union of Textile Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria.
14. National Associations of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.
15. National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees.
16. Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria.
17. The National Union of Electricity Employees.
18. Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.
19. Nigeria Union of Railway Workers.

It was gathered that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Monday, directed all zonal coordinators and chairpersons of the union to instruct their members to embark on the nationwide strike in line with the directive from the NLC and TUC.

In a letter signed by ASUU’s National President, Emmanuel Osodeke, and issued on Monday night, ASUU said: “The Nigeria Labour Congress at a Joint National Executive Council of NLC and TUC directed all affiliate unions to commence the withdrawal of services with effect from 12 midnight today  November 13, 2023.

“As an affiliate of NLC, all members of our union are hereby directed to join this action of NLC to protect the interest of Nigerian workers and the leadership of the union.”

Also, the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees directed its staff to join the strike, saying, “We hereby direct all our members in all Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions to stay off duty as from 14th November 2023 until otherwise directed  by the Congress.”