The nationwide strike planned by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for December 1 may falter as several state chapters of the union announce they will not participate.
This comes after President Bola Tinubu’s July approval of a new N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers, which many states have pledged to implement.
Some, like Lagos and Rivers, even promised higher pay at N85,000. However, 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory are yet to begin implementation, sparking discontent.
In Imo State, NLC Chairman Uche Chigaemezu confirmed the union’s decision not to join the strike, citing an agreement with Governor Hope Uzodimma to pay the minimum wage.
Similarly, Sokoto, Oyo, and Katsina states announced they would not participate due to ongoing agreements or assurances from their governments.
TUC representatives in Akwa Ibom also expressed satisfaction with their discussions, deciding against joining the industrial action.
However, the strike enjoys support in Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Zamfara states, as well as in the Federal Capital Territory. Union leaders in these areas have criticised the lack of progress on the minimum wage and are pressing for immediate implementation.
Meanwhile in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), labour leaders labelled the delay a “gross violation of the law” and called for indefinite action.
The NLC national leadership, however, dismissed the reasons provided by some states for opting out, insisting that only full implementation of the new wage would avert the strike.
National Treasurer Akeem Ambali reiterated the union’s resolve.
“We are very serious about this. We have had all the organs meeting, and the issue has been decided; there is no going back,” he said.
While Jigawa and Cross River states are still negotiating, others like Zamfara have promised to finalise modalities for payment soon.
As the strike deadline looms, the divided stance of state chapters raises uncertainty about the industrial action’s overall impact.
