Nigeria experienced significant disruptions on Monday, June 3, 2024, as its largest labor unions—Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC)—initiated an indefinite strike demanding a salary increase. The strike, a response to the country's severe cost of living crisis and record-high inflation, has resulted in the shutdown of the national electricity grid, closure of major airports in Abuja and Lagos, and halted public services.
President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira to attract foreign investment, have been cited as factors driving the inflation surge. The unions are demanding an increase in the minimum monthly wage from 30,000 naira ($20) to 500,000 naira ($336), while the government offers 60,000 naira ($40). Information Minister Mohammed Idris warned that meeting union demands could destabilize the economy by adding 9.5 trillion naira ($6.3 billion) to the government wage bill.
Union members have obstructed efforts to restore power, and several airlines, including Ibom Air and United Nigeria, have suspended operations. This strike marks the fourth by the NLC and TUC since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. The unions have vowed to continue the strike until a new minimum wage is established.