Audio By Carbonatix
Nigeria's main trade unions have announced an indefinite strike and mass demonstrations from Monday unless the removal of a fuel subsidy is reversed.
The withdrawal has led petrol prices to more than double since Monday, prompting anger countrywide.
"We have the total backing of all Nigerian workers on this strike and mass protest," the Nigeria Labour Congress's Chris Uyot told the BBC.
Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer, but imports refined petrol.
Both the NLC and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have agreed to the strike.
NLC spokesman Mr Uyot told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme there was no room for dialogue with the government, which has said it will spend the money saved by removing the subsidy on improving the country's erratic electricity supply, as well as health and education.
Prices have increased from 65 naira ($0.40; £0.26) per litre to at least 140 naira in filling stations and from 100 naira to at least 200 on the black market, where many Nigerians buy their fuel.
"After exhaustive deliberations and consultations with all sections of the populace, the NLC, TUC and their pro-people allies demand that the presidency immediately reverses fuel prices to 65 naira," AFP news agency quotes a statement signed by the heads of the two unions.
There has been a furious reaction this week to the fuel price increase - one protester was killed on Tuesday in Irolin state and thousands of Nigerians have demonstrated in cities across the country.
Nigeria's Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido told the BBC the subsidy - which he said cost the government about $8bn (£5.1bn) last year - was "unsustainable".
"Subsides should be for production and not consumption," he told Focus on Africa.
In December, the government released a list of the people who benefit most from the subsidy, which include some of Nigeria's richest people - the owners of fuel-importing firms.
Years of mismanagement and corruption mean Nigeria does not have the capacity to refine oil into petrol and other fuels.
Several previous governments have tried to remove the subsidy but have backed down in the face of widespread public protests and reduced it instead.
The IMF has long urged Nigeria's government to remove the subsidy.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Leila Djansi questions NFA’s appeal for Film Fund donations
6 hours -
The ‘Our Day’ Dilemma: A cherished Ghanaian tradition that has become a high-pressure cooker
7 hours -
UHAS celebrates 2026 International Day
7 hours -
Maison Yusif launches ‘The Beast’ fragrance, eyes global expansion from Ghana
8 hours -
NSMQ 2026 : St. Louis SHS returns to nationals after thrilling comeback in Ashanti region qualifiers
10 hours -
“Data is the new gold” – Prof. Kwofie leads charge for AI-driven, equitable Africa
10 hours -
Lights for Life Movement urges fixing of faulty traffic lights to save lives
10 hours -
Doctor uses cash reward of GH¢20,000 to equip Paga Hospital
10 hours -
Free but expensive education in Ghana – Free SHS in retrospect
10 hours -
Justice must heal a nation, not become a qeapon of revenge
10 hours -
Six students injured as fire destroys House Master’s apartment at Leklebi SHS
10 hours -
Mid-Year Budget Review: What happened to the GH¢40m promise to Ghana’s creative industry?
10 hours -
Tafo Government Hospital children’s ward 85% complete ahead of my 45th birthday – Nana B
11 hours -
Kessben FM yanks DJ K.A. ‘off air’ over intimate video circulated online; Investigation underway
12 hours -
Ghana, Nigeria commit to stronger trade cooperation under AfCFTA
12 hours