Nigerian fuel protests on ice

Trade unions in Nigeria have suspended protests and some strikes today to allow talks with government officials over the removal of a fuel subsidy that has lead to the doubling of fuel prices and transport fares.

Union leaders also plan to meet the country’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, for new negotiations, just ahead of a promised labour shutdown of Nigeria’s oil industry.

The announcement came on the fifth day of strikes that have paralysed the nation of more than 160 million people.

It has been reported that the government has offered to reintroduce the subsidy.