Nigeria's unions suspend strike over fuel subsidy
Following the government's decision to cease subsidizing it, the biggest trade union movement in Nigeria has cancelled its call for a statewide strike on Wednesday. The walkout was intended to protest a dramatic increase in the price of petrol.
Boakyewaa Lawrencia 
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero announced the decision to extend the time for discussions following a lengthy meeting with the government.
A judge has ordered unions to cease all industrial action until a government application is heard on June 19th.
Some of the demands made by organized labor to mitigate the effects of the loss of the gasoline subsidy include an increase in the minimum wage and tax holidays for employees.
Fuel marketers raised the cost of gasoline last Wednesday by at least $1 (£0.80) a litre, or about 200%.
The cost of transportation, food, and other goods have increased as a result, and the minimum wage is currently around $65.
In his inauguration address on May 29, Nigeria's new president Bola Tinubu declared the elimination of the fuel subsidy but did not provide a deadline.
Following Mr. Tinubu's opening speech, hundreds of people flocked to the streets in search of what they believed to be the last cans of gasoline being sold at a set price by the government, either in their automobiles or on foot carrying yellow jerrycans.
Nigeria, although being wealthy in oil, cannot process crude locally to fulfill demands.
Due to the inefficiency of the four state-owned refineries, the nation is forced to import refined petroleum products, which are then offered for sale at a set price.
The government has already put aside $7 billion to subsidize fuel for the first half of this year, despite Mr. Tinubu's claim that the government can no longer afford to do so due to declining revenue.
