Ogun NULGE threatens indefinite strike over LG autonomy

The Ogun State Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Governor Dapo Abiodun to restore the full functionality and autonomy of local government administration in the state or face an indefinite strike.

The ultimatum was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the union’s executive council meeting held on Wednesday in Abeokuta, the state capital. The communiqué was signed by the NULGE President, Adefesobi Adebayo, and other union officials.

NULGE accused the state government of undue interference in the affairs of local governments, noting that despite a Supreme Court judgment, directives from the National Assembly and instructions from President Bola Tinubu, Ogun State has failed to implement local government autonomy.

According to the communiqué, the State Executive Council met on January 28, 2026, to review the government’s response to earlier demands but found that the issues raised had been ignored.

“Arising from the above, the SEC-in-Session discussed and unanimously resolved that Your Excellency should attend to the yearnings of the local government workers within 14 days of this notice,” the union stated.

It warned that failure to address its demands would compel the union to embark on industrial action at the expiration of the ultimatum on February 17, 2026, in line with Section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act, Cap T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

NULGE said the lack of autonomy has resulted in poorly equipped offices, decaying infrastructure and demoralised staff working under difficult conditions, thereby affecting service delivery at the grassroots level.

The union also threatened to withdraw from the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the state government and the Nigeria Labour Congress on the contributory pension scheme, accusing the government of failing to honour its commitments.

It further alleged that key local government revenue sources, including mobile advertisement fees, motor park and garage tickets, and tenement rates, have been taken over by the state government, leaving local councils underfunded and unable to provide essential services.

Other grievances raised by the union include the refusal of the state government to place Heads of Local Government Administration on a consolidated salary structure, unlike their counterparts in the state civil service and in neighbouring states such as Osun and Ondo.

Despite the ultimatum, NULGE said it remains open to dialogue and constructive engagement with the Ogun State Government to resolve the issues amicably.