In a major show of discontent, Nigeria was thrown into chaos on Monday as the country experienced a nationwide strike called for by the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The strike resulted in the shutdown of the national power supply, leaving tens of millions without electricity and disrupting air travel.

According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), union workers stormed the national grid and forcibly removed operators from control rooms, causing injuries in the process. Shocking images circulated on social media showing cane-swinging union workers ordering personnel of the country's tax agency out of their offices.

This strike comes after failed negotiations between the unions and the government regarding the federal minimum wage. The unions are also protesting against the recent increase in electricity tariffs. The demands put forth by the unions include raising the minimum wage from the current 30,000 naira ($22.4) to 494,000 naira ($369.6).

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga dismissed these demands as "unreasonable," stating that the government had proposed a 100% increase to 60,000 naira ($44.89), which was rejected by the unions. Nigeria's minimum wage falls significantly behind other African countries, with workers in Seychelles receiving a minimum wage of $465.4 monthly.

The strike has had a severe impact on air travel, leaving passengers stranded at major airports in Lagos and Abuja. All incoming and outgoing flights have been grounded, exacerbating the crisis. Healthcare services have also been severely affected, with hospitals unable to power crucial medical equipment due to the shutdown of the national grid, putting the healthcare system on the verge of collapse.

Responding to the situation, Nigerian Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi declared the strike illegal in a letter to the labor unions, calling it "premature and ineffectual." The strike has sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians on social media, with some expressing support for the unions' demands, while others believe the strike is detrimental to citizens.

It is important to note that Nigeria is currently facing numerous economic challenges, including currency devaluation and soaring prices for essentials like food, transport, and healthcare. Inflation has reached a staggering 33.69%, the highest in almost three decades. President Bola Tinubu's administration has faced criticism for controversial spending of public funds, which has fueled public anger.

While acknowledging that the current minimum wage is "unsustainably low," presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale cautioned that the unions' proposed increase would have severe economic consequences, potentially leading to higher school fees and mass retrenchment if institutions cannot afford the increased wages.

As the strike continues, it remains to be seen how the government and unions will navigate this precarious situation, balancing the needs of the workforce with the economic challenges facing the country.