Despite interventions from the Minister of Labour and other key figures, judiciary workers across Nigeria still made good their threats to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, following a directive issued by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) on Sunday night.
By Monday morning, courts nationwide, including those in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, were shut down, effectively bringing judicial activities to a halt.
According to JUSUN, the strike was prompted by the federal government’s failure to meet several crucial demands.
These include the payment of a five-month wage award, implementation of the N70,000 new national minimum wage, and the 25/35% salary increase for workers under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure.
These demands were detailed in a circular sent to all chapter chairmen and signed by JUSUN’s Acting General Secretary, Moses Akwashiki.
Akwashiki explained that the decision to strike was made after a series of unsuccessful negotiations, including meetings facilitated by the Minister of Labour and Employment to resolve the outstanding issues.
“This is to direct all Federal Chapters that effective from midnight Sunday, June 1, 2025, you are to stay at home.This directive follows unfruitful meetings, including those convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, who was conciliating on our matter.
“We believe that, as directed by the union’s organs, the National Working Committee(NWC) and National Executive Council(NEC), the action will continue until further notice.
“Our demands are for the government to pay the five-month wage award, implement the N70,000 national minimum wage and effect the 25/35 % salary increase. Solidarity forever,” the statement reads.
In a separate notice, the Public Relations Officer of the JUSUN FCT High Court chapter reaffirmed the union’s stance, instructing all judiciary staff within its jurisdiction to withdraw their services and secure all court facilities.
“Distinguished comrades, honourable colleagues, further to the receipt of the circular from the JUSUN national headquarters dated May 30, 2025, the JUSUN FCT High Court chapter directs all its members to withdraw their services and remain at home,” the statement said.
The FCT chapter also clarified that the delay in relaying the directive resulted from internal consultations and last-ditch efforts to engage relevant management and stakeholders.
According to him, all avenues had been fully exhausted.
“We seek the maximum cooperation of all members.”
JUSUN has recently been sending mixed signals regarding its planned strike action.
Persecondnews recalls that the association’s National Judicial Council chapter Public Relations Officer, Mr Joel Ebiloma, announced on Sunday morning that JUSUN had put off its planned nationwide strike, scheduled to begin on Monday, June 2, for two weeks.
Ebiloma said the decision to postpone the strike followed intensive meetings with the Minister of Labour, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, and other key stakeholders, and that the two-week suspension would allow relevant authorities time to resolve outstanding issues.
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