By Uzair Adam
The workers of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have announced plans to initiate an indefinite nationwide strike starting at midnight on October 7, 2024.
This decision follows the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to NAFDAC’s management after it failed to address concerns raised by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) branch within the agency.
According to a statement signed by Comrade Salih Ahmed Aledeh, Secretary of MHWUN, the strike directive was given by the union’s Federal Area Council leadership.
The workers are protesting NAFDAC management’s lack of response to issues raised during a congress meeting held on September 20, 2024.
The union has instructed all Zonal Coordinators and State Representatives to ensure full compliance with the strike order and to keep providing updates on their efforts.
The industrial action is expected to disrupt NAFDAC’s operations, which could have significant implications for the regulation of food and drugs across the country.
The strike’s duration remains uncertain, depending on how quickly the management addresses the union’s demands.
Tensions between the union and NAFDAC management had been building, especially after two workers’ unions—the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporation and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) and MHWUN—rejected the 2024 promotional examination results, citing a mass failure.
They raised concerns about the transparency and integrity of the process, where 65% of staff failed the examination.
This rejection followed earlier discontent over the management’s handling of staff promotions and job vacancies.
The unions issued a seven-day ultimatum demanding a review of the 2024 Promotion Examination Results, the appointment of directors to key vacant positions, and reforms to the promotion process, among other demands.
Failure to meet these conditions, they warned, could lead to further unrest.