The police were determined to stamp out any trouble

Unionists have been dispersed both outside government offices in the capital, Abuja and in the biggest city, Lagos.

The BBC's Dan Isaacs in Abuja says that the strike call has been patchily observed. It is not clear if the key oil sector has been affected.

Petrol prices were raised by 54% on 20 June by the government, which says it will save some $2bn and will use the money to improve health and education services.

Our correspondent says that Lagos is virtually a ghost city but some people in Abuja have reported for work.

Markets, banks and most offices were closed, while the normally chaotic streets of Lagos were deserted.

'Nothing on earth'

"Protesters have made bonfires on the streets. The police have moved in and are firing teargas to disperse the people," said a resident of Area 1 district in Abuja.

The courts have declared the strike illegal but leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) are undeterred.

Q&A: Nigeria's fuel strike Strike in pictures

"Nothing on earth is going to stop the strike action," said Owei Lakemfa, a spokesman for the NLC.

However, NLC leader Adams Oshiomhole said that he would be meeting President Olusegun Obasanjo later on Monday.

He said that if the president made a reasonable offer to reduce the scale of the price rise, the strike could be called off.

Oil industry officials say the key oil sector has not been affected but trade unionists insists they have shut down Nigeria's main export earner.

"All our operational units - oil fields, exports terminal - are working. Nigeria's oil output is not threatened at all," a spokesman for the state-run oil group Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ndu Nghamadu, told the French news agency, AFP.

"We have succeeded in paralysing the oil sector. There has not been any lifting of fuel since midnight," National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) general secretary Joseph Akinlaja told AFP.

Air traffic was operating normally although fewer workers turned up for duty.

The NLC had threatened to shut down the country's airspace unless their demands were met.

Petrol shortages

Many Nigerians fear that the protests will turn violent because of a build-up of discontent since Mr Obasanjo's disputed re-election in April.

Unions say they cannot afford to pay higher fuel prices

The decision to raise petrol prices is also particularly controversial in the oil-rich nation of Nigeria, where poor people say they have not benefited from valuable oil exports.

Africa's largest oil producer also faces chronic fuel shortages as almost all of its own oil is tied into long-term contracts and shipped abroad.

The government has described the union's plans as "unwarranted, illegal and unfortunate", and said the union had not given the government the statutory 15 days of warning.

It also threatened legal action against any attempt to barricade factory gates or stop workers carrying out their normal duties.

Send us you experiences of the strike. Are you at work or staying away?

Use the form to send us your comments, which will be published below.

Send your photos of the strike to [email protected]

Disclaimer: The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published.

Hi, I'm at my office in the commercial district of Victoria Island, Lagos right now, and just wanted to chip in the fact that around here, virtually all the people who have cars of their own are at work. The streets are quiet, with much fewer cars and little or no public transport, but there are a fair number of private cars on the road. I just went to pick up a cheque from my sister in one of the major banks, and I'll let you in on a secret: though their front doors are barred, most of them are working. People recognised as customers are discreetly ushered in through back doors, and once inside, it seems that it's business as usual. As usual, it seems that the only people who understand Lagos are Lagosians. People are being cautious, but the general expectation is that nothing drastic will happen.
Tunji, Nigeria

This government is callous, wicked and grossly insensitive. We cannot continue like this. The strike must go on and if president Obasanjo refuses to back down on the fuel hike, he will be forced to resign by mass action.
Nnoham Iyke, Nigeria

I'M WRITING YOU FROM SPDC, WARRI. THE STRIKE HAS JUST BEEN DECLARED HERE NOW AND IT IS TOTAL. OBASANJO GOVT IS NOW UNPOPULAR. IT HAS REALLY LET THE MASSES DOWN.
Isadare Adewale, Nigeria

The oil increase is necessary, but the World Bank should have eased the instruction thta the Nigerian Government should increase prices gradually. First increase should have been 15 - 20% and later in the year another 10%. The government will achieve the goal that the World Bank is seeking in helping with the heavy debt Nigeria owes. There is general poverty in this country. I visted Nigeria about two weeks ago and saw that a lot of people are suffering but enduring. While I support the increase I disagree with the style of its implementation.
Bayo Oshinnaiye, USA

Though vehicular traffic is low in Port Harcourt, the town is a bit 'alive'. There are cars on the roads and some business premises open. My children are at school,according to their teachers, writting their teminal exams. Rivers state is usually the last state to join in any strike or national disturbance. Perhaps the people are more patriotic or business minded. Sola, Port Harcourt.
,

I believe the Federal Government has never shown any sincerity on it's part as regards transparency and justice thus the reason for not trusting President Obasanjo and his cohorts. The funds expected to be realised from dropping the subsidy would definitely end up in the hands of all our corrupt leaders.

Deregulate the downstream sector of oil, sell the refineries to competent companies like Shell, Mobil and Chevron and them allow market forces take control of the situation. If not we shall keep going in circles.
Anthony Isibor, Nigeria

hi, i'm at my office in the commercial district of Victoria Island, however there is little or no activity as most people are not willing to work though they are at work. me feel the Nigerian government is plainly insensitive and do not care for the masses.
bode, Nigeria

I'm in Port Harcourt in my office now, there is work going on without any sign of strike at all. The giant Shell Petroleum Dev.Company is working without any disturbance, my office is right inside the Industrial Area of the all giant.
Gbolahan, Nigeria

In my area at Adeyemi Lawson road, Ikoy it is just like a weekend - less traffic with people just hanging around mostly discussing the situation at hand.
hussaini mustapha, nigeria

I am not at work. I am conscientiously observing the strike at home and in my neighbourhood. there appears to be a general solidarity with the strike action. My attempt to attend a rally called by the joint action council against hike in fuel prices at Ikeja roundabout was shortlived as the peaceful rally was crudely disrupted by the police with tear gas. l hope to remain on strike for as long as it lasts. Obasanjo cannot turn the country into his personal fiefdom where the feelings of the people mean nothing.

As a worker in the private sector in Warri, I am currently in my office but the situation is becoming serious over here as the banks are not open to customers. The economy could be paralysed in a few days if this continues as people will not be able to get the money to buy their normal requirements
David Ojako, Nigeria

I am in my office in Lagos Island. Shops are closed, although some banks and corporate organisations have their back doors open! Public transport vehicles are off the road and it is a pleasure to drive around Lagos on a day like this. A few unmarked vehicles are making brisk business transporting desperate commuters at over 150% increase in fares! I just hope the strike action yields some dividends.
Olaniyi, Nigeria

The government rushed to get a court injunction restraining the NLC from commencing the strike. They have forgotten that this is not a trade dispute. It is about the government declaring war against the masses. We do not have any judiciary system in place. What we have is the executive, the executive and the executive.
Osas.

It is a cheap popularity stunt for the unionists. Otherwise why would they disobey court order and take action that will naturally fail. I managed to come to work today believing that they would run out of steam in the evening.
SIXTUS UGAMA, Nigeria

The Strike in Nigeria, is a signal by the populace to the Nigerian Government that they are tired of government's insincerity and lack of transparency.
Tunde Olatunji, Nigeria