Nigeria loses electricity and major airports close as unions seek higher wages amid record inflation
Africa’s most populous country has ground to a halt as Nigeria’s largest labor unions begin striking to demand a salary increase amid the worst cost of living crisis in decades
GOMBE, Nigeria (AP) — Africa's most populous country ground to a halt on Monday, with electricity cut and major airports closed, as Nigeria's largest labor unions began striking to demand a salary increase amid the worst cost of living crisis in decades.
President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms — including ending fuel subsidies — have resulted in surging inflation that is at a 28-year record high.
In this latest strike, workers shut down the national electricity grid and drove away operators at a key transmission station, the Transmission Company of Nigeria said, adding that other workers sent to restore power were blocked.
Elsewhere, government workers either failed to show up or shut down entrances to offices, including at airports in the capital of Abuja and the economic hub of Lagos. All aviation workers should stay away "until further notice,” their association said.
