Benue councils shut down as LG workers begin warning strike

Activities across the 23 local government areas of Benue State were paralysed on Thursday as local government workers commenced a two-week warning strike over unpaid salaries and unresolved welfare issues.

The industrial action, declared by the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), followed the expiration of earlier ultimatums issued to the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

In a strike notice dated May 13, 2026, the union accused the state government of failing to address long-standing grievances affecting workers at the grassroots level.

The notice, signed by the state NULGE President, Joshua Adah Adiniya, and Secretary, Comrade Aseneshi Musa Yusuf, stated that all attempts to resolve the issues through dialogue had failed.

“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 statement read.

Among the workers’ demands are the payment of outstanding March and April 2026 salaries, implementation of pending promotions, settlement of issues relating to BEPCON pension remittances, reinstatement of disengaged workers from 2011 and 2012, and payment of accumulated salary arrears.

The union said its State Executive Council had resolved during a meeting held on April 21 to intensify pressure on the government after receiving no meaningful response to previous engagements.

Describing the action as a “total lockdown” of the third tier of government in the state, NULGE directed all local government employees to comply fully with the stay-at-home order effective from Thursday, May 14.

The strike has already disrupted operations in council secretariats across the state, raising concerns over the delivery of essential local government services.

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

The warning strike is expected to last for two weeks unless the state government addresses the union’s demands before then.