Breaking news: NLC ends strike, reaches agreement with government, details emerge.

An indefinite strike action by the organised labour in Niger state, situated in the north-central region of Nigeria, has officially been suspended. The strike began on Wednesday, February 21, and resulted in the closure of several government facilities. It was initiated as a precautionary measure in anticipation of a possible nationwide protest. However, after a crucial meeting between the state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the labour unions, the news broke on Wednesday, February 21 evening that the strike had been called off.
As reported by The Nation on Thursday, February 22, the suspension was announced after an emergency joint state executive council (SEC) meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at Labour House in Minna, on Wednesday night, February 21. The meeting was held after a long round of discussions with Governor Bago and his executives. It was during this meeting that an agreement was reached, and the government reportedly offered to address the demands of Organised Labour. Consequently, all workers were expected to return to work immediately.
As per the agreement reached, the government will pay N20,000 as wage award to each worker in the state and local government areas (LGAs) in March. Moreover, a tripartite committee made up of representatives of the Niger House of Assembly, the executive, and the Organised Labour would be constituted to look into the laws and make recommendations to the government. The parties further agreed that there would be a refund of 10% contributory pension scheme (CPS) to exempted workers in the LGAs, and that the outstanding refunds of N218.7 million would be paid in three installments according to zones. Additionally, all eligible ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) would receive their 2019 annual leave grant in batches.
It was reported that the Bola Tinubu administration had committed to the signed October 2, 2023, agreement with the organised labour. This announcement by the federal government comes amidst the NLC’s insistence that it would proceed with its planned strike action slated for February 27 and February 28.