Photo Credit: Peoples Gazette

Banks across Nigeria have issued a notice announcing a two-day nationwide strike, with financial services set to be suspended on September 5 and 6, 2023. The directive, issued by the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institution Employees, was conveyed in a memo dated September 2, 2023, and signed by the union’s General Secretary, Mohammed I. Sheikh.

This action aligns with the strike notice previously issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress on August 31. NUBIFIE has expressed its dissatisfaction with the federal government’s interference in trade unions’ affairs instead of focusing on economic challenges.

The NUBIFIE strike notice stated, “In line with the communique issued after the meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) held on Thursday, August 31, 2023, that all affiliates should direct all its members to commence two days’ withdrawal of services from Tuesday and Wednesday, the 5th and 6th of September, 2023.”

The directive emphasized, “This action is necessary to draw the government’s attention and caution against its increasing involvement in the internal affairs of unions, rather than addressing the challenging economic conditions we currently face. We hereby instruct all our branches to adhere to this directive by ensuring that all our members refrain from duty for the specified two days. Your cooperation in this matter will be greatly appreciated.”