Akwa Ibom State is experiencing a total power outage as schools, banks, and government facilities comply with the nationwide strike initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate unions.
In Uyo, the state capital, public schools, as well as state and federal secretariats along Abak Road, were closed following directives from the state chapter of the NLC. The banking sector was equally affected, with all banks along Udo Udoma Avenue’s banking layout shutting their gates, leaving frustrated customers unable to access banking services.
Public primary and secondary schools in the area were locked, with no teachers reporting to work. Students were seen returning home on various streets within Uyo.
At higher education institutions, the gates of the University of Uyo and Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic in Ikot Osurua were closed, preventing students from entering. This closure was particularly disheartening for Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic students who were scheduled to start their first-semester examinations on Monday. The closure resulted in the postponement of these exams.
Affected students included those in the Higher National Diploma (HND) programs of the recently unbundled Mass Communications Department, now known as Journalism and Media Studies (JMS), and Computer Science students who were scheduled to take their exams.
In a statement released by Edidiong Williams, Head of Media at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, the institution announced the suspension of all examinations and academic activities in compliance with the indefinite strike action by the NLC.
The statement reads in part: “Following the failure of the leadership of the National Assembly and the Federal Government to intervene in the indefinite strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and its sister body, Trade Union Congress (TUC), all academic activities in the institution have been suspended.
“The indefinite strike is a result of the disagreement between the bodies on a new national minimum wage and electricity tariff-related issues.
“All examinations scheduled for the unbundled Mass Communication and Computer Science Departments are also placed on hold pending the outcome of the strike,” Williams stated.
