Benue LG Workers Embark Indefinite Strike Over Unpaid Salaries, Promotions

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Local government workers in Benue State have commenced an indefinite industrial action following alleged failure of the state government to meet demands relating to unpaid salaries, promotions and pension remittances.

The strike directive was issued by the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in a notice dated May 13, 2026, and signed by the State President, Joshua Adah Adiniya, alongside the State Secretary, Comrade Aseneshi Yusuf.

The union, in a letter made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Thursday May 14, 2026, said the decision followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Benue State Government led by Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia and an additional seven-working-day reminder notice.

In the statement titled “Notification of Strike Action,” NULGE accused the government of ignoring several opportunities to resolve the lingering dispute.

“Unfortunately the Benue State Government has remained adamant and ignored all the opportunities offered by the union to resolve these disputes to avert the consequences,” the union stated.

The workers are demanding the immediate payment of outstanding March and April 2026 salaries, implementation of pending promotions for local government staff, resolution of issues affecting BEPCON remittances, reinstatement of disengaged 2011/2012 local government workers, and payment of salary arrears owed workers across the state.

The union disclosed that its State Executive Council (SEC), at a meeting held on April 21, 2026, had resolved to press the government to address the grievances but said no meaningful action was taken.

“The union has been pushed to the wall and is left with no option,” the statement said, adding that all local government workers were directed to commence a “two weeks stay-at-home warning strike effective from Thursday, May 14, 2026.”

NULGE further ordered members across the 23 local government areas of the state to ensure “full implementation and enforcement” of the strike directive, describing it as “a total lockdown of the third tier of local government in Benue State until further directive.”

Copies of the notice were also sent to the executive chairmen of the 23 local governments, divisional police officers, heads of the State Security Service in the councils, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state.

The development is expected to disrupt administrative and grassroots services across Benue’s local government system if the impasse is not urgently resolved.

When contacted, the Chairman Local Government Service Commission, James Ivever, said he is not aware of any strike action by local government staff. he added that, if there is any industrial action by staff of local government, he is yet to be communicated officially.