Hopes of averting a planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) dwindled as both unions declined a last-minute meeting with government officials to discuss their grievances. Labor leaders remained steadfast in their decision to proceed with the strike, rejecting claims by Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) that it would violate a court order.

Counsel to the organized labor, Femi Falana (SAN), urged the government to reopen negotiations with the unions. In an attempt to mediate, President Bola Tinubu and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, appealed to labor to reconsider the strike “in the interest of the masses.”

The federal authorities had called an emergency meeting, with Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, and Labor and Employment Minister, Simon Lalong, expected to lead the government delegation. However, labor representatives did not attend the meeting, leading to its rescheduling for the weekend.

Labor accused the government of lacking seriousness, citing the current economic challenges as the reason for their planned strike.

In response to claims by Fagbemi that proceeding with the strike would violate a court order, the NLC stated that no such order existed. NLC President Joe Ajaero argued that the order Fagbemi referenced had lapsed due to non-diligent prosecution, as confirmed by the Ministry of Justice. Ajaero called for clarification on which order Fagbemi was referring to and emphasized the importance of differentiating between a restraining order and a perpetual injunction.

Femi Falana, representing NLC and TUC, believed that negotiations could still resolve the deadlock. He called on the government to resume negotiations with the labor unions, highlighting that negotiations should have been concluded since the ex parte order was obtained on June 5, 2023. Falana also underscored the need for industrial peace in the country.

The standoff between labor unions and the government continues, with the strike looming as negotiations remain stalled.