On Tuesday, public school students in Osogbo, Osun, were dismissed following the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Students from various public primary and secondary schools were observed heading back home.
At CAC Grammar School, Gbodofon, Osogbo, the gate stood wide open as students exited the premises, while some teachers convened under a tree for discussions. Similarly, several banks in Osogbo remained closed to customers, with some exhibiting hesitation about opening, and only a few engaged in business transactions.
Most offices at the state secretariat in Abere were deserted, with only a few workers seen moving within the premises. A secretariat staff member, speaking anonymously, mentioned that the strike had not fully taken effect, and if it were like previous nationwide strikes, the gates to the secretariat would have been shut, with NLC and other labour union members blocking entry.
Security personnel were stationed at the secretariat entrance and various strategic locations in Osogbo. Mrs Modupeola Oyedele, Osun State NLC Caretaker Chairperson, clarified that the strike complied with directives from the NLC and TUC headquarters. Oyedele stated that the instruction to members was to refrain from work, without any plans for street protests.
“We are not doing a street protest with the strike. The instruction is for workers to abstain from work, and we are complying. Public schools have sent back their students in compliance with the strike. Many sent their students back this morning because the strike directive came late last night, so that is why students were turned back after getting to school. We are ensuring that there is compliance as our officials are at the state secretariat to ensure workers do not resume in their offices,” she explained.
On Monday evening, labour unions directed their members and affiliates to withdraw their services starting from Tuesday, a move the government deems illegal.