Union threatens oil shutdown

Nigeria’s main oil union has said it will shut down output from Africa’s biggest oil producer on Sunday if the government does not reverse its decision to remove fuel subsidies.

Thousands of Nigerians have protested for four straight days against the axing of the petrol subsidy at the start of the month, which more than doubled the price to around 150 naira (60p) a litre.

Nigeria produces more than two million barrels of crude oil a day and is a key supplier to US, Europe and Asia. Crude exports provide Nigeria with over 90 per cent of foreign revenues.

The union said the government had an “unacceptable” approach to the fuel subsidy.