The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have declared an indefinite strike in response to the federal government’s refusal to raise the new minimum wage above the N60,000 offered.

NLC spokesperson Ben Ukpa announced that the strike is set to begin on June 3. "The strike is due to the government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage and to reverse the electricity tariff hike," Ukpa said.

The labour unions had issued an ultimatum to the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the federal government to reverse the electricity tariff hike by May 31.

On April 3, NERC approved an increase in the electricity tariff for customers in the Band A classification—from N66 to N225 per kWh. This tariff hike sparked public outcry and demands for its reversal.

The unions also demanded that the federal government finalize the new national minimum wage process for workers by May 31. The federal government proposed minimum wages of N48,000, N54,000, and most recently, N60,000, all of which were rejected by the NLC and TUC. The unions insist on N494,000, citing the high cost of living.

In a statement released on Friday, the labour unions expressed their frustration with the government's neglect of its responsibilities despite repeated warnings.

"In light of this persistent inaction, we, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), hereby issue a notice of commencement of an indefinite nationwide strike to the Federal Government," the statement reads.

"We reiterate that since the national minimum wage negotiation exercise has not been concluded, the agreed wage has not been passed into law, the electricity tariff hike has not been reversed, and the categorization of consumers into Bands has not been stopped as demanded; Nigerian workers are compelled by these failures to embark on an indefinite nationwide industrial action beginning on Monday, the 3rd of June, 2024, to press home our demands."

"The NLC and TUC are united in this cause, and we call on all our affiliates, state Councils, Civil Society Organizations, market men and women, and the general populace to prepare for decisive action. We cannot and will not accept any further delays or excuses."