The National Industrial Court has granted an order restraining the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) from embarking on strike of any nature pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice of June 5, 2023.

Presiding judge of the Abuja Division of the court, Justice Olufunke Anuwe ordered that the NLC and TUC be immediately served with the processes in the suit, the Motion on Notice and the order of the court, and fixed the matter for hearing for June 19. 

Justice Anuwe made the order sequel to an ex-parte application filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation & Minister of Justice.

The applicants, The Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, had submitted that the proposed strike action was capable of disrupting economic activities, the health sector and the educational sector; and may gravely affect the larger society and indeed the well-being of the nation at large. 

Counsel to the FG, Maimuna Lami Shiru and 4 Others told the court that students of secondary schools nationwide, especially those writing WAEC exams, will be affected; the tertiary institutions, which have only just resumed after a long ASUU strike, will also be affected, not excluding the health sector, amongst others, and above all, the economy of the nation.  

Meanwhile, the Federal government and the NLC have reconvened another meeting on Monday to continue discussions on subsidy removal.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and members of his national executives arrived at the Presidential Villa on Monday evening for the meeting.