Labour unions in Nigeria are expressing strong discontent over the recent surge in fuel prices throughout the country and have issued a warning to withdraw from negotiations with the government unless the prices are reversed.
Both the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress are accusing the government of unjustly favoring the wealthy at the expense of the poor, leading to immense suffering, hardship, and sorrow for the Nigerian people.
On Tuesday, petrol prices reached an all-time high of around 640 naira ($0.82; £0.64) per litre, triggering widespread outrage across the nation. As a result of this sharp increase in petrol prices since May, after President Bola Tinubu’s announcement ending fuel subsidies during his inauguration speech, transport costs and food prices have continued to escalate.
The state-owned Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited has attributed the new price increase to market forces.
In response to the public outcry and rising costs, President Tinubu has ordered a review of the $10 (£8) his government had planned to pay 12 million poor households to mitigate the impact of removing the fuel subsidy. The proposed payment, lasting for six months, aimed to provide relief to those affected by the subsidy removal.
However, there has been widespread criticism and concern that the money could potentially end up benefiting government cronies rather than reaching those genuinely in need.