Nigerian state cuts working week to three days amidst crisis and soaring inflation

During a virtual conference, the Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced that officials will now be working three days a week. As of Saturday, there has been a reduction in transportation service charges. State enterprises have reduced their rates by 25 percent.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu explains that such measures are necessary to soften the blow of the crisis. In Nigeria, inflation is touching 30 percent, and since May 2023, the value of the Nigerian currency - the naira - has fallen by 70 percent.

Escalating living costs and economic hurdles prompted nationwide protests a week ago. In the streets of Lagos, protesters were seen carrying placards with messages such as "End the Bad Government" and "End Starvation". This was reported by the local portal, lindaikejisblog, on February 19.

- The country is hemorrhaging, and conditions are dismal. People are suffering. It has become impossible for people to afford even two, let alone, three meals a day now - the Africanews portal quoted one of the protesting craftsmen, on the same day.