After two major trade unions called for an open-ended strike in Nigeria, the country's electrical grid collapsed and its airports were shut down. The striking workers are calling for a higher minimum wage.'s largest trade unions called an indefinite strike starting on Monday, with the walkout already crippling the national electricity grid and air travel.
Slowing growth rates and a reduced government tax intake have exacerbated the problems. Already saddled by high debt repayments, Nigeria is currently running an annual budget deficit in the region of 5% of GDP. These payments kept fuel cheap, but also cost the government roughly $10 billion in 2023. That comfortably outstrips the government's share of revenues from selling oil, even as the world's ninth most prolific exporter.