The country's two main labor federations, the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have agreed to resume dialogue with the government to meet their demands and suspend further protests after talks with President Tinubu in Abuja on Wednesday.
On the same day, August 2, hundreds of Nigerians marched against the removal of a petrol subsidy across major cities, including Abuja, Lagos, the oil-producing state of Bayelsa and northern cities of Kano and Kaduna.
The labor federations, which represent millions of workers across all sectors of Africa's largest economy, said in a statement that the protest was successful enough to force the president to meet with their leadership in a closed-door session.
"On the strength of the President's pledge and commitment, we have decided for a return to a new and reinvigorated dialogue process to allow for full implementation," the statement read.
The labor unions highlighted that they are "on course," elaborating that "dialogue and strategic negotiation is also a rule of engagement in labor struggle."
According to a statement by the presidency, the leadership of NLC led by its President Comrade Joe Ajaero, and that of TUC, Comrade Festus Usifo, held a "fruitful" meeting with the Nigerian leader, during which they agreed to suspend the ongoing nationwide protest.
"Consequent upon the fruitful and frank discussion with President Tinubu and their confidence in his ability to encourage open and honest consideration of all the issues put forward by the Labour Movement, the Labour Leaders resolved to stop further protest," the Nigerian presidency said.
It was noted that the president had pledged that the Port Harcourt refineries in southern Nigeria would commence operations by December 2023 after the ongoing rehabilitation. The move is expected to reduce petrol prices across the country. Among other promises, Tinubu also vowed "to ensure that the agreement is reached on the wage award for Nigerians workers immediately," according to the unions' statement.
The representatives of the country's workers agreed to continue constructive engagement with the government to resolve all outstanding issues as they significantly affect the working people and Nigerians in general.
Since his inauguration on May 29, President Tinubu embarked on a series of reforms that sparked controversial reactions among various social groups in the country. His initiatives mainly included abolishing of expensive petrol subsidy, which cost the government $10 billion last year, replacing a central bank governor, easing foreign exchange controls, and initiating a transformation of the country's power industry.
However, following the removal of the fuel subsidy, transportation costs, food and petrol prices in Nigeria have skyrocketed. To offset the higher cost of living caused by the government's measures, unions demanded better wages and other forms of compensation. Unions delivered petitions to officials in several states, detailing their grievances.