The federal government has secured a court order to prevent the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from going on strike over the removal of fuel subsidy.
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja division, granted an interim injunction on Monday, restraining the labour unions from embarking on the industrial action scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
The government had filed an ex parte motion seeking to stop the strike, which was triggered by the tripling of petrol prices after the subsidy was scrapped by President Bola Tinubu.
OY Anuwe, the presiding judge, ruled that the unions should suspend the planned strike pending the hearing and determination of the motion.
The NLC had earlier issued a directive to its 43 affiliate unions to prepare for a nationwide strike, saying that the state oil company NNPC should reverse the price hike.
The removal of fuel subsidy has led to a sharp rise in transport fares and operating costs for businesses and consumers in Africa’s biggest oil producer.
The government said lifting the subsidy will help ease its fiscal burden and free up funds for infrastructure and social development.
However, the NLC argued that the subsidy removal will worsen poverty and inequality in a country where 63% of people are poor, according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics.
Other workers’ unions, such as nurses, judiciary staff and journalists, have also mobilised their members for the planned strike.
This is not the first time that Nigeria has witnessed protests over fuel subsidy removal. In 2012, a wave of strikes ensued when the government tried to introduce a similar measure, forcing authorities to reinstate some subsidies.
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