The organised labour has shut down all entry points of aviation agencies at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to press home their demands for the implementation of a new National Minimum Wage.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
This action has, however, affected flight operations at the nation’s busiest airport as airlines as passengers were left stranded at the airport entrances.
This is coming barely 24 hours after the Aviation unions directed its members to withdraw services across airports in Nigeria.
The unions decided after an emergency meeting held on Sunday.
On Friday, organised labour members announced an indefinite nationwide strike in response to the Federal Government’s refusal to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero stated that the strike would commence at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
Reading from a jointly prepared speech with his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Festus Osifo, the NLC leader expressed “grave concern and disappointment” over the Federal Government’s failure to finalize and enact a new National Minimum Wage Act and to reverse the increase in electricity tariffs to N65/kWh.
Meanwhile, the domestic flights were disrupted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja on Monday, June 3, due to the indefinite strike, announced by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Passengers who were on the ground to board their flights were shut out of the terminal buildings of the airport.
No flight was allowed to take off nor land at the airport at the time of filing this report.
Several flights were cancelled.
An airline, United Nigeria while announcing the disruption of flight said it was due to the strike.
The statement by its management on Monday reads: “We regret to inform you that due to the strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and their affiliates, airports across the country have been shut down.
“As a result, none of our scheduled flights has been permitted to depart the airport, significantly affecting our services and operations.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences this may cause to your travel plans. Please rest assured that we are actively monitoring the situation to evaluate its impact on our operations and will provide updates accordingly.”
An Executive of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) who didn’t want to be named confirmed the flight disruption to our reporter.
He said: “No flight has left Abuja and none has landed. All passengers are outside the terminal building. Some passengers have started returning home because some airlines have announced cancellation.”
“NUATE works with instruction and if the mother body asks us to open the airport for flight operations, we will open but without instruction from NLC, the strike is indefinite.
“It has not been easy to manage the anger from passengers. We feel their pain but as it is now, if nothing is done, nothing will be done.
“We are all Nigerians and we know the prices of things now and we know how difficult it has been. So, if those of us who are privileged to work are complaining, how much more are those who are not working.”
He however said international flights were given grace to operate today.
“International flights were given an exemption for today. According to the communique released, they said some flights were already airborne yesterday, so Aviation gave them grace for today but from 00:00 hour midnight Tuesday, International flights will join the strike and it will be more serious.”
The Management of Air Peace in a statement on Monday confirmed the operation of regional and international flights.
The statement reads: “We hereby notify the flying public that due to the ongoing strike action by the Nigerian Labour Union (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), there will be disruptions or possible cancellations of flights across our network today.
“Currently, only our regional and international flights are confirmed to operate today.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and hope for a swift resolution. We regret any inconvenience this may cause to your travel plans and appreciate your understanding and patience.”
also, Abuja-Kaduna Train Services (AKTS) did not operate on Monday, June 3, due to the ongoing strike action announced by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
There was no train movement from either Idu (Abuja) or Rigasa (Kaduna).
The chairman of Abuja Union of Abuja-Kaduna Train Services (AKTS), Comrade Yusuf Kazeem said no train moved in or out of Abuja today.
Kazeem said: “There is total compliance throughout the system as there is no train movement.
“Passengers were not stranded because we sent a message to inform them that there would be no train service.
“Also, most of our tickets are sold online and the portal was not opened for passengers to buy tickets which was an indication that we were not available for service.
“Some passengers called to complain about their inability to buy tickets and we used the opportunity to inform them that we would be embarking on strike, so passengers did not bother to come to the station.”
He added that workers of AKTS also boycotted work on Monday.
“Our staff too did not come to work because they are aware of the strike,” he said.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
