The Kaduna State Government has resolved its dispute with the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), leading to the suspension of the union’s one-week warning strike.
The development means that courts across Kaduna State have resumed full operations after days of shutdown that affected legal activities in the state.
The agreement was reached on Monday, February 23, 2026, during a meeting between a high-level government delegation and the State Executive Committee of JUSUN. The meeting took place at the office of the Attorney-General in Kaduna.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, said the discussions were detailed and focused on addressing all the issues raised by the union.
According to the statement, all matters in dispute were resolved in line with the directive of Governor Uba Sani.
The strike was triggered by several demands from judiciary workers in the state. One of the major issues was the implementation of financial autonomy for the state judiciary.
Judicial financial autonomy has been a long-standing issue in Nigeria. In 2020, the Federal Government signed an Executive Order aimed at granting financial independence to state legislatures and judiciaries. The policy was designed to ensure that funds allocated to the judiciary are released directly to the judicial arm of government, without interference from the executive.
JUSUN has consistently argued that financial autonomy is necessary to protect the independence of the judiciary and improve efficiency in the justice system.
In addition to autonomy, the union demanded consequential salary adjustments following the new national minimum wage. Workers said that although the minimum wage had been reviewed, corresponding adjustments had not been fully implemented for judiciary staff in Kaduna State.
The union also requested the payment of outstanding salary arrears for April and May 2021, as well as unpaid leave grants owed to members.
For many workers, these financial issues have been a source of frustration. Some judiciary staff said delays in payments had affected their ability to meet family needs, especially in the face of rising living costs.
The one-week strike led to the closure of courts across the state, delaying cases and affecting litigants, lawyers, and other court users.
Following what officials described as extensive deliberations, both parties agreed on a way forward. Although full details of the agreement were not made public, the government said all issues were amicably resolved.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, James Kanyip, described the meeting as fruitful. He said the outcome shows the state government’s commitment to maintaining peace in the public service and ensuring that institutions function smoothly.
According to him, Governor Uba Sani remains committed to promoting industrial harmony and improving productivity in Kaduna State.
“The state government commends JUSUN’s leadership for its maturity and cooperation,” the statement said. It also urged judiciary staff to resume work immediately in the interest of effective justice delivery.
By suspending the strike, JUSUN has cleared the way for courts to reopen and pending cases to continue. Lawyers and litigants had expressed concern over the disruption, noting that delays in court proceedings can prolong the search for justice.
Labour disputes involving JUSUN are not new in Nigeria. Over the years, the union has organised strikes in different states to push for financial autonomy and improved welfare for judiciary workers.
In many cases, these strikes have led to temporary closure of courts, affecting both civil and criminal matters. Legal experts often warn that prolonged shutdowns can weaken public confidence in the justice system.
Kaduna State, like many other states, has faced economic pressures in recent years. Rising inflation and increased cost of living have made salary and welfare issues more sensitive. Workers across various sectors have demanded better pay and timely settlement of arrears.
The resolution of the dispute in Kaduna may serve as a relief to many residents who rely on the courts for justice. Court activities include handling bail applications, criminal trials, family disputes, land matters, and commercial cases. When courts are shut, these cases are put on hold.
With the suspension of the strike, judiciary workers are expected to return to their duty posts immediately. Court registries, filing units, and hearing sessions are set to resume normal operations.
Residents who had pending matters in court can now expect gradual progress in their cases. However, some backlog may remain due to the days lost during the strike.
For the Kaduna State Government, the agreement is seen as part of its broader effort to maintain stability in the state’s public service. For JUSUN, the resolution represents progress in its push for better welfare and stronger judicial independence.
As judicial activities resume, many stakeholders hope that both the government and the union will continue to engage in regular dialogue to prevent future disruptions.
