The Senate has criticized the shutdown of Nigeria’s national grid by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) amid their ongoing nationwide strike for increased minimum wages.
On Tuesday, organized labor began an indefinite strike after rejecting the federal government’s initial offer of N60,000, causing widespread disruption across the country. Economic activities, including operations at banks, schools, government, and private offices, as well as the national grid, were severely impacted.
Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Pastor Reno Omokri, condemned the action, labeling it a national attack. He argued that shutting down the national grid endangers lives, especially those of premature babies and hospital emergency patients, and constitutes a politically motivated move rather than a genuine labor strike.
“The shutdown of the national grid by Joe Ajaero and the NLC is a national attack,” Omokri stated. “This is not a national strike; it’s economic sabotage aimed at destabilizing the government for political gains.”
The Senate echoed Omokri’s sentiments, emphasizing that the union’s actions were more about economic sabotage than a legitimate agitation for a new minimum wage.
Omokri further criticized the NLC’s demand for a ₦494,000 minimum wage, arguing that it would lead to massive job losses in both the public and private sectors. He suggested that the private sector, which employs over 65% of Nigeria’s workforce, would not be able to sustain such wage increases without raising prices or laying off workers.
“Joe Ajaero’s national strike will only cause national strife,” Omokri added. “If he wants to be a striker, he should join football and compete with Messi and Ronaldo.”
The organized private sector has publicly stated its inability to meet the NLC’s wage demands, proposing instead a more feasible ₦60,000 minimum wage. Omokri suggested that the government could consider raising it to ₦80,000 but dismissed the NLC’s demand as economically unfeasible and politically motivated.
Omokri concluded by calling on Ajaero to leave labor unionism and pursue a political career, implying that his actions were driven by an alliance with political figures aiming for the 2027 elections.
The Senate’s criticism highlights the growing tension between the government and labor unions as the strike continues to disrupt daily life across Nigeria.
