Abuja, Nigeria – The Democracy Day celebrations at Eagle Square in Abuja took a dramatic turn when a group of protesters stormed the venue, chanting “Minimum Wage! Minimum Wage!” and demanding an increase in the national minimum wage.
The protesters, comprising workers and civil society activists, disrupted the proceedings as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was about to deliver his speech. The crowd, estimated to be in the hundreds, urging the government to prioritize the welfare of Nigerian workers.
According to eyewitnesses, the protesters began chanting and singing ‘minimum wage’ shortly after President Tinubu arrived at the venue. Security personnel attempted to contain the situation, but the protesters persisted, shouting “We want a living wage!” and “Pay us what we deserve!”
President Tinubu, seemingly taken aback by the sudden interruption, paused momentarily before proceeding with his speech. In his address, he acknowledged the concerns of the protesters, promising to engage in dialogue with labor leaders to address the issue.
The protest comes on the heels of ongoing negotiations between the government and labor unions over a proposed minimum wage increase. Workers have been demanding a significant hike in the minimum wage, citing the rising cost of living and economic hardship in the country.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising the protesters for their bold stance and others condemning the disruption of the celebrations.
The development highlights the ongoing tensions between the government and labor unions over workers’ rights and welfare in Nigeria. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the protesters’ demands and address the pressing issue of minimum wage reform.
