The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in opposition to the withdrawal of the government's fuel subsidy, has pledged to ground the economy as it begins a two-day warning strike on Tuesday, September 5.
The NLC, the largest trade union organization in the nation, predicted that the strike will have an impact on every area of the economy, including manufacturing, banking, and transportation.
The union claimed that the strike was required in response to the government's decision to end fuel subsidies, which it claimed would have a catastrophic effect on common Nigerians.
"The removal of fuel subsidies is a direct attack on the poor and working people of Nigeria," claimed Joe Ajaero, president of the NLC. It is an effort to further deprive and complicate the lives of our people.
The administration has defended eliminating fuel subsidies by arguing that it's vital to save money and draw in investment.
The NLC and other unions, however, contend that the government has not gone far enough to mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal on common Nigerians.
The strike would probably have a big effect on Nigeria's already-struggling economy.
The value of the naira against the US dollar has decreased, and inflation is increasing.
The strike is also likely to increase Nigeria's already high level of political unrest, which includes a burgeoning insurgency in the northeast.
According to the NLC, the government must agree to reconsider its decision to eliminate fuel subsidies before talks can proceed.
It's unclear whether the administration will be open to doing this.
The strike is expected to significantly damage Nigeria's economy in the interim and worsen the situation there.