Nigerian trade unions said this evening talks with President Olusegun Obasanjo had failed and they would meet tomorrow to decide whether to press on with a general strike that has crippled the oil-producing nation.
Five days of disruption to the economy had looked likely to end today before next week's visit by US President George W. Bush, but unions said a gap remained over Mr Obasanjo's decision to raise petrol prices by more than 50 per cent.
Strike leader Mr Adams Oshiomhole said Mr Obasanjo, who maintains a hike is essential for the economy, had offered to reduce the price increase, but added: "The gap between our own demand (and the government's offer) is not good enough for us to accept."
Mr Oshiomhole said Mr Obasanjo's offer would be put to an emergency meeting tomorrow of the executive of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the West African state's trade union umbrella body. Unions called the strike to demand the hike be reversed.
"It's left to (the National Executive Council) to accept it or not to accept it, and subsequently call off the strike or not call off the strike," Mr Oshiomhole said.
The strike has triggered violence and closed seaports, banks and shops, threatening crude oil production and shipments from the world's eighth biggest oil exporter and a nation still emerging from many years of military rule.