The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike starting Monday, June 2, over unpaid wages and unfulfilled salary adjustments.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, Mr. Mustapha Laminu, the union’s National Vice President (North Central), said the strike would involve all judiciary workers in federal courts and other judicial institutions across the country.
According to Laminu, the strike has become necessary due to the failure of the government to pay a one-month wage award recently approved for civil servants. He also listed other grievances, including the non-payment of five months’ arrears of the same wage award, non-implementation of the proposed ₦70,000 national minimum wage, and the non-implementation of the 25% and 35% salary increase approved for federal workers.
“The union had written severally to the management on the need to address these issues,” Laminu said. “We gave a 21-day ultimatum, followed by a 7-day notice, and even suspended earlier planned actions after the intervention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.”
However, Laminu said the government has remained silent despite repeated appeals. He described the situation as unfair, especially as other arms of government—like the executive and legislature—have already received their own wage awards and salary increases.
“Our members are losing patience. They are accusing us of compromise because they are suffering under the current economic hardship caused by government policies,” he said. “We will continue this strike until the government meets our demands.”
Laminu also alleged that the Ministry of Finance has already released the required funds to the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, but that the money has not been disbursed to the judiciary.
He called on all state chapter chairmen of JUSUN to mobilize their members and ensure full compliance with the strike directive.
This latest development could paralyze judicial activities nationwide, as courts would be unable to sit or process legal matters during the strike period.
JUSUN is the official union representing workers in the Nigerian judiciary, including clerks, bailiffs, registrars, and other court administrative staff. The union has frequently clashed with the government over welfare issues and has led multiple strikes in the past to push for better funding, autonomy for the judiciary, and improved working conditions.
The planned strike comes at a time when Nigeria is facing high inflation, fuel price hikes, and widespread economic hardship. Labour unions across various sectors have been demanding wage increases to cope with the rising cost of living.
If the strike goes ahead as planned, it will likely add to the growing pressure on the Federal Government to address salary-related issues affecting public sector workers.
