Labour Unions order federal workers to strike

In a move that has sent shockwaves across the nation, the leadership of Nigeria’s major labour unions has issued a controversial stay at home directive to all federal workers, effective from midnight on Sunday, June 1, 2025.

According to this drastic action on June 1, which threatens to paralyze government operations nationwide, comes in the wake of failed negotiations with the federal government over long standing wage and benefit disputes.

The Strike order: A Last Resort or Political Power Play

The circular, signed by the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union, leaves no room for ambiguity.

All federal chapters are to stay at home “until further notice,” a move that underscores the unions’ frustration after what they describe as “unfruitful meetings” with the Minister of Labour and Employment.

At the heart of the dispute

Read three key demands:

• Payment of five months’ wages award arrears
• Implementation of a ₦70,000 National Minimum Wage
• Immediate application of the 25/35 percent salary increase for federal workers

The unions argue that the government’s persistent delays and broken promises have left workers with no choice but to embark on a total shutdown.

But critics are already questioning whether this strike is truly in the best interest of the workers or if it is being weaponised as a political tool in the ongoing power tussle between labour and the federal government.

Government’s Response: Indifference or Incompetence?

The government’s apparent inability or unwillingness to meet the unions’ demands has fueled suspicions of either bureaucratic incompetence or a calculated attempt to undermine labour’s influence.

The Minister of Laboure and Employment, who was tasked with conciliating the dispute, has so far failed to broker a deal, leaving millions of federal workers in limbo.

Some analysts suggest that the government is deliberately dragging its feet, betting that public frustration with service disruptions will eventually turn against the unions.

Others see the impasse as evidence of a cash-strapped administration unable to fulfill its promises amid mounting economic pressures.

Fallout: Public Services on the Brink

As the strike takes effect, the consequences are already being felt nationwide.

Hospitals, schools, immigration offices, and other essential government services are grinding to a halt.

The ripple effect is expected to be severe, with millions of Nigerians likely to suffer from delayed medical care, disrupted education, and bureaucratic bottlenecks.

Social media is ablaze with angry reactions, with many Nigerians blaming both the government and the unions for using ordinary citizens as pawns in their high-stakes standoff.

Some argue that while workers deserve fair compensation, a total shutdown of public services is an extreme measure that punishes the very people the unions claim to represent.

The Controversy: Who Really Pays The Price

The controversy surrounding this strike runs deep.

On one hand, the unions are demanding what they see as basic rights: payment for work already done, a living wage, and fair salary increments in the face of rising inflation.

On the other hand, the government’s failure to act raises uncomfortable questions about fiscal responsibility and political will.

But the real losers in this battle may be the Nigerian people, who now face the prospect of indefinite hardship while their leaders trade accusations and dig in their heels.

Critics have accused both sides of playing politics with people’s lives, with some even suggesting that the unions are leveraging the strike to extract concessions ahead of upcoming political negotiations.

A Call for Transparency and Accountability

Wahalaupdate believes that the time has come for both the government and the unions to put the interests of ordinary Nigerians first.

The lack of transparency in negotiations, the absence of clear timelines for resolution, and the willingness to let public services collapse are all signs of a broken system.

If the government cannot meet its obligations, it must be honest with the public about the reasons why.

If the unions are acting in good faith, they must ensure that their actions do not disproportionately harm the very people they are meant to protect.

As the strike enters its first days, the stakes could not be higher.

Will the government finally listen to the workers’ demands, or will it gamble on public fatigue to break the unions’ resolve?

Will the unions remain united, or will cracks begin to show as the pressure mounts?

One thing is clear: Nigeria is once again at a crossroads, with millions of lives hanging in the balance.

Wahalaupdate will continue to provide in-depth coverage and analysis as this controversial strike unfolds.

For now, the nation watches and waits caught between hope for justice and fear of prolonged chaos.

Stay with wahalupdate for the latest on this developing story.