Banks, public schools closed as NLC, TUC strike grounds FCT

Schools, both primary and secondary, within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday complied with the directives of the organized labour to embark on a nationwide strike.

Some schools initially opened as early as 8 a.m., welcoming students in large numbers.

DAILY POST reports that some schools around the Asokoro Extension area of the FCT conducted their regular morning routines, including attending assembly in preparation for classes.

However, our correspondent learned that the schools were later directed to close down in compliance with the nationwide strike.

Similarly, commercial banks along the AYA axis of Abuja were all closed to customers due to the industrial action by the organized labour.

A security guard at Access Bank situated along the AYA axis said the bank was closed due to the ongoing strike.

When asked why the bank was closed, the guard, who refused to disclose his name, said, “The bank is closed due to the ongoing strike; sorry, you can’t come in.”

Another security guard from UBA said, “Our salary is too small, so we are going on strike. We need more money. Banks are closed.”

Recall that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had embarked on a nationwide strike from today (Monday).

The strike aims to push for an increment in the pay of workers across the country. While the organized labour is demanding N494,000 as a new minimum wage for workers, the Nigerian government is proposing N60,000.

In a last-minute move to stop the strike, leaders of the National Assembly and organized labour met yesterday, but the meeting ended in a deadlock as the organized labour insisted on the commencement of the strike.

Speaking after the meeting, TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, said the organized labour would never call off the strike without consulting its members.

“It is difficult and, in fact, impossible for us as labour leaders to call off the strike here. We need to communicate with our various organs, meaning that the industrial action starts on Monday as planned,” he said.