Benue Local Government Workers Begin Two‑Week Strike Over Unpaid Salaries

On Thursday, local government employees in Benue State began a two‑week warning strike over unpaid wages, delayed promotions and unresolved pension remittances, halting operations in all 23 local government councils.

The strike followed the expiry of a 14‑day ultimatum and a subsequent seven‑working‑day notice that the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) had issued to Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration.

In a notice dated 13 May 2026, endorsed by State President Joshua Adah Adiniya and State Secretary Aseneshi Musa Yusuf, the union accused the state government of ignoring long‑standing welfare concerns affecting council workers.

Titled “Notification of Strike Action,” the document explained that the union had exhausted all dialogue channels before deciding to strike.

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

Its demands include the immediate payment of March and April 2026 salary arrears, the execution of overdue promotions, the resolution of BEPCON remittance issues, the reinstatement of local government workers who were disengaged in 2011/2012, and the payment of accumulated outstanding salaries.

NULGE noted that its State Executive Council had agreed in a meeting on 21 April 2026 to intensify pressure on the government for prompt action, but that no substantial response had been received.

“The union has been pushed to the wall and is left with no option,” the statement added, instructing all council workers to begin a two‑week stay‑at‑home warning strike on Thursday, 14 May 2026.

The union also directed members across the 23 local government areas to fully comply with the action, describing it as “a total lockdown of the third tier of government in Benue State until further directive.”

Copies of the strike notice were also sent to local government chairmen, divisional police officers, heads of the Department of State Services within the councils, and the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress.