In 1945, a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s history occurred with the beginning of the First General Strike, a nationwide trade union movement led by thousands of workers that would later go down in history as the Nigerian General Strike of 1945. This strike marked a turning point in the history of Nigeria’s situation in Nigeria. Battle. for independence from British colonial rule. The strike began among railway workers and spread to workers in other sectors, including longshoremen and the public sector, with the support of up to private company workers.
Historical Context At this time.
Nigeria was under British colonial rule, which began in 1914 and lasted until 1960. World War II left the country struggling with high inflation, rising prices and stagnant wage growth.The government’s efforts to control prices have been largely unsuccessful. The union coalition, known as the Joint Council of Government Technical Employees, made its demands clear on March 22, 1945. She called for a minimum wage of two shillings and sixpence and a 50 percent cost of living increase (COLA). retroactive to April 1, 1944. Unfortunately, the colonial government rejected these demands on May 2, 1945. In response, the workers issued a statement threatening to join a general and permanent strike if their demands were met by Thursday June would not be fulfilled. 21. 1945.
Catalyst for the Nigerian General Strike of 1945.
Despite negotiations between the colonial government and a workers’ delegation led by President T.A. Bankole, no resolution was adopted on May 30, 1945. Just twelve days later, the colonial government made an offer that only slightly revised its previous position. This offer was immediately rejected. On June 2, 1945, British colonialists, in a strategic move, released Michael Imoudu, a prominent labor leader who had been imprisoned since 1943, perhaps hoping to calm angry workers. However, Imoudu’s actions acted as a catalyst for the strike, and as labor historian Wogu Ananaba noted, “there is no doubt that without Imoudu’s actions there would have been no general strike on June 22.”
Start of the strike On June 22
The strike began with railway workers blowing train whistles to announce their departure from Lagos at midnight. Although not all workers initially joined the strike, the support of many nationalists, including Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Adunni Oluwole and Obafemi Awolowo, strengthened the strikers. morale.Imoudu continued to play an important role in encouraging workers to join the movement. Some strikers began to resist those who tried to continue working. The strike, which began among railroad workers, quickly spread throughout the colony, and local union leaders played a key role in directing it.
Government Efforts and Impact of the Strike
The colonial government made several attempts to persuade workers to end the strike, including by disseminating propaganda and involving union leaders in conciliation negotiations. However, these efforts proved largely unsuccessful. After the strike, traffic between cities was stopped and many people had to use bicycles or walking as their main means of transport. Despite warnings on July 26 that workers who continued the strike into August would be fired, the strike continued. But at the beginning of August the strikers separated and negotiations began. On August 3, a compromise was reached that led to the end of the strike, the dropping of charges against the strikers, and the employment of the workers.
Divisions and Challenges.
Although the strike enjoyed the support of many nationalists, some, particularly those associated with the Nigerian youth movement, attempted to sabotage it. The media also played a mixed role: The Daily Service, the New York Times newspaper, supported the colonial authorities and downplayed the strike. Looking back, the Nigerian general strike of 1945 was a turning point in the country’s path to independence. It demonstrated the power of collective action and determination of workers and their allies and laid the foundation for future movements that ultimately led Nigeria to its hard-won independence in 1960.
