Local government workers across Benue State on Thursday commenced a 14-day warning strike over outstanding salary arrears and other unresolved welfare issues.
The strike action was directed by the Benue State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees, signed by its president, Joshua Adiniya, and secretary, Aséneshi Yusuf.
In a notice titled “Notification of Strike Action” dated May 13, 2026, the union said the industrial action became necessary following the state government’s failure to address demands earlier presented by workers.
According to the notice, the union had, during its State Executive Council meeting held on April 21, 2026, urged the Benue State Government to immediately pay workers’ salaries for March and April 2026.
NULGE also demanded the unconditional release and implementation of pending promotions for local government staff, resolution of issues affecting the implementation of BEPCON remittances, reinstatement of disengaged 2011/2012 local government workers, and payment of all outstanding salary arrears.
The union expressed disappointment that despite issuing the required 14-day ultimatum and a seven-working-day reminder, the government failed to respond to its demands.
“In view of the above, the union has been pushed to the wall and is left with no option but to direct all local government workers to commence a two-week stay-at-home warning strike effective Thursday, May 14, 2026,” the notice stated.
Speaking with journalists on Thursday, the NULGE president disclosed that local government workers in the state were being owed up to seven months’ salary arrears.
However, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Terna Ayu, declined to comment when contacted over the development.
The strike comes amid preparations for the forthcoming general elections and marks the first industrial action by local government workers since Governor Hyacinth Alia assumed office nearly three years ago.
Governor Alia had earlier assured workers during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration of his administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare across the state.
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