Workers across the 23 local government areas in Benue State on Thursday began a two-week warning strike over unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and unresolved pension deductions.
The industrial action has affected activities in local government councils across the state following the expiration of an earlier ultimatum issued to the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).
In a strike notice dated May 13, 2026, and signed by the state NULGE President, Joshua Adah Adiniya, alongside the Secretary, Aseneshi Musa Yusuf, the union accused the state government of failing to address long-standing welfare issues affecting council workers.
The union explained that it had previously given the government a 14-day ultimatum and later extended it by another seven working days to allow room for dialogue and settlement of the issues.
According to NULGE, all efforts to resolve the matter peacefully failed because the government allegedly ignored repeated appeals and negotiations.
Among the union’s demands are the payment of outstanding salaries for March and April 2026, implementation of pending promotions, settlement of pension and BEPCON remittance issues, reinstatement of local government workers disengaged in 2011 and 2012, and payment of accumulated salary arrears.
The union said its State Executive Council had earlier resolved during a meeting in April to intensify pressure on the government if no meaningful action was taken.
NULGE noted that workers had been pushed to the limit and were left with no option but to begin the warning strike.
The union directed all local government employees in the state to fully comply with the stay-at-home action, describing it as a complete shutdown of local government activities until further notice.
Copies of the strike notice were reportedly sent to local government chairmen, security agencies, and the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state.