The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has instructed its members to join the indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday, as directed by labor unions. Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG’s general secretary, confirmed the union's commitment to full compliance with this directive in a statement on Saturday.
On May 31, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) announced the strike, set to begin on June 3, in response to the federal government’s refusal to raise the minimum wage above the N60,000 offered.
Afolabi expressed NUPENG's concern over the federal government’s "insensitive attitude" towards negotiating a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers, highlighting the adverse impact of the government's socio-economic policies on working people.
“Our union leaders at all levels—from units to zones and branches—should immediately initiate all necessary processes to ensure full compliance with this directive,” Afolabi stated.
Additionally, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) announced it is mobilizing its members to participate in the strike as per the NLC and TUC’s directive. Dominic Igwebike, NUEE's acting general secretary, issued the directive to members on Saturday.
Igwebike emphasized that the strike is crucial due to unresolved negotiations on the minimum wage, the hike in electricity tariffs, and the categorization of Nigeria’s electricity consumers into bands. He instructed all national, state, and chapter executives to mobilize members to ensure full compliance and prompt government action.