NLC launches nationwide protests as economic hardship grips Nigeria; Lagos takes to the streets
Amidst mounting economic challenges, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has commenced nationwide protests, starting from Lagos State, to voice grievances over the country’s dire economic situation. Protesters, comprising union members, flooded the streets of Lagos, particularly in Ikeja, on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, demanding urgent action from the government.
Gathering at the Ikeja underbridge, protesters engaged in spirited demonstrations, chanting slogans and calling for governmental intervention to address their concerns. Central to their grievances are the pervasive security challenges and the contentious removal of fuel subsidy, a move that precipitated soaring prices of essential commodities nationwide since May 2023.
Despite previous agreements reached between the NLC and the Federal Government following the fuel subsidy removal, the union alleges that the government has failed to uphold its end of the bargain, exacerbating the plight of citizens.
Efforts to avert the protests saw a meeting between the government and the union held the night before the protests commenced. However, the meeting ended in a deadlock, failing to resolve the underlying issues fueling the protests.
