Nigeria Banks Begin Strike Over Naira Scarcity

Bank workers are set to embark on strike amidst the naira scarcity.

Truetells Nigeria reports that the challenge of accessing new naira notes may worsen from Monday with bank workers set to begin a strike.

This online platform understands that the industrial action, according to reports is owing to attacks on bank workers by depositors of the old N,1000, N500, and N200 notes.

The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) directed bankers to stay away from any State where banks are attacked by depositors owing to cash scarcity.

The action will continue daily until normalcy is restored, according to the President of the association, Comrade Olusoji Oluwole.

The directive was contained in a statement dated February 17, 2023, with reference number ANS/WR/JA/OP/5018 titled “Stay at home order” and to all units’ president and secretaries.

It states in part, “The National Secretariat has been inundated with reports of threats and attacks on fives and properties of members and bank branches, and subsequently has been on the field to monitor and confirm the reports.

“We issued warnings and appeals to government to provide security measures for the safety of lives and properties of our members within and around the bank premises but regrettably the attacks have continued without any form of security for the safety of our members, and the recent being the attack today, Friday 17th February 2023 on one bank branch at Epe. Lagos State.

“We cannot leave the lives and properties of our members exposed to obvious danger.

“Consequently, all members should today immediately stay away from work in any state where bank branches are attacked.

“This is to continue every day until normalcy is restored.

“Please note, you will be availed further directives as events develop”

See the press statement below.