Nigerian banks have declared a two-day nationwide strike set to take place on Tuesday, September 5th and Wednesday, September 6th, 2023.
This announcement has sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, as Nigerians express their opinions on the matter.
The strike directive comes from the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institution Employees (NUBIFE) and was signed by the union’s General Secretary, Mohammed I. Sheikh. According to a memo dated September 2nd, the union cited compliance with the strike notice issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on August 31st as the reason for their action.
While this development has garnered mixed reactions from the public, with some expressing support and others voicing criticism, it remains to be seen how it will affect daily life and the banking sector in Nigeria.
One social media user, @itsmeakanni, seemed skeptical of the strike’s impact, stating, “Playing according to the script. When did unions ever stop banks from working? Playing according to the script… it won’t work.”
@queenof_shebaa expressed skepticism towards the Nigeria Labour Congress, saying, “Labour Congress should go and sit down. Nigerians have long lost respect for the organization, as they are always about themselves and not the masses’ interests, a bunch of greedy, lazy masses fighting for their stomach alone.”
@mc_ichie added a local proverb to the conversation, writing, “NUBIFE ekwero anu ife,” which loosely translates to “NUBIFE, do what is right.”
Some users like @tejumade17 raised concerns about the accessibility of online banking during the strike, saying, “They should not disable online banking sha.”
Others like @kaosagyluxury289 took a humorous approach, commenting, “Everybody is going on strike lol.”
There were also concerns about personal finances, as @papivincci joked, “Omo make nothing do my change inside there o… make una no see my landlord red eye,” while @mencashmere_by_mosun asked, “Wetin go happen to money in the bank oh! Make una dey expatiate o.”
@ouchcleo seemed critical of the reasons behind the strike, saying, “Na the petition hearing make them wan go on strike. Y’all bloody jokes. If una like shut down Nigeria na una sabi.”
As the strike date approaches, Nigerians are left to speculate on the potential impact on their daily lives, financial transactions, and the overall functioning of the banking sector. The reactions on social media reflect a diverse range of opinions, highlighting the complexities surrounding labor disputes in the country.
