Benue Councils’ Workers Begin 2-week Warning Strike

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Benue State Chapter, yesterday began a two-week warning strike over unpaid salaries.

NULGE said the strike followed the failure of the state government to address a longstanding demands.

In a statement signed by state NULGE president, Joshua Adah Adiniya and Comrade Adeneshi Musa Yusuf for the state secretary after its State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held in Makurdi, the union recalled that at its sitting on 21st April, 2025, it had requested the state government “to unconditionally pay outstanding salaries for March and April 2026, implement all pending promotions of local government staff, resolve challenges affecting BEPCON remittances, reinstate disengaged workers from 2011/2012, and clear all accumulated salary arrears to local government employees”

The union further disclosed that after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued earlier to the government, the SEC reconvened on 7th May, 2026 and granted an additional seven working days as a reminder to allow the government to comply with its demands and avert industrial action.

However, NULGE alleged that the state government remained unresponsive and failed to utilise the opportunities provided to resolve the dispute.

The union, however, stated that it had been compelled to direct all local government workers in the state to embark on a two-week “stay-at-home” warning strike.

“Sequel to this directive, you are all enjoined to ensure the full implementation and enforcement of the SEC directive for a total lockdown o f the third tier of Local Government in Benue State until further directive, please, “the statement said.

Meanwhile, efforts to get a response from the Benue State Government were unsuccessful.