Banks and other financial institutions in the country will be closed on Thursday, August 1, 2024, as the planned hunger strike begins nationwide.
While none of the banks officially declared a closure, conversations with several bank employees revealed that they had been urged not to report for work on Thursday while the banks monitored the protest.
A banker who talked with The PUNCH stated, “You witnessed what happened during earlier riots; banks were targeted. We don’t want to repeat a similar event, so we’ve been instructed to observe the issue first, and then decide where to go from there.”
When asked if he was going to work tomorrow, another banker in Lagos simply responded, “No.”
Another banker, however, stated that they were not warned in any direction and were simply told to use caution on their drive.
Leadway Pensure, a pension fund administrator, stated in a Wednesday email to customers titled ‘Business Continuity Amid Planned Protest’ that “Due to the planned nationwide protest starting August 1, 2024, please be informed that all our offices will be closed on Thursday, August 1, 2024, and Friday, August 2, 2024, at the first instance as we monitor the situation.”
The PFA went on to urge customers to use its digital channels for transactions.
Meristem Securities Limited, an asset management firm, also sent a closure warning to its customers on Wednesday.
“Dear esteemed client. Due to tomorrow’s statewide demonstration, all of our offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja will be closed on Thursday, June 1, 2024. We will actively watch the situation and provide updates as the protest progresses.”
Their clients were instructed to contact them through their web methods.
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, Anthony Abakpa, President of the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees, stated, “Banks will closely observe the National planned protest to see how it unfolds. The regulatory body has not given formal permission to close any bank operations during the protest.
“Banks cannot close without the express authority of the Central Bank of Nigeria. We will keep a careful eye on things, and we have warned our members to be especially cautious and aware in order to stay safe throughout and after.