ABUJA, NIGERIA – Both primary and secondary schools within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) adhered to the organized labour’s directives to commence a nationwide strike on Monday. Initially, some schools opened at 8 a.m., welcoming students and carrying out their regular morning routines, including assemblies in preparation for classes.

However, as the day progressed, our correspondent learned that these schools were instructed to close in compliance with the nationwide strike. Schools around the Asokoro Extension area of the FCT, which had begun their normal operations, were subsequently shut down as part of this directive.

Similarly, commercial banks along the AYA axis of Abuja also closed their doors to customers due to the industrial action. A security guard at Access Bank along the AYA axis confirmed the closure, stating, “The bank is closed due to the ongoing strike; sorry, you can’t come in.”

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

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) initiated the strike to advocate for an increase in workers’ pay across the country. While the organized labour is demanding a new minimum wage of N494,000, the Nigerian government has proposed N60,000.

Efforts to avert the strike included a last-minute meeting between leaders of the National Assembly and organized labour, which ended in a deadlock. TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, emphasized that the strike would proceed as planned, saying, “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.”

As a result, significant disruptions were seen across the FCT, with schools closing and banks halting operations, reflecting the widespread impact of the strike aimed at addressing workers’ grievances.