The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Nasarawa State Branch, on Tuesday night declared an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of its demands by the state government and the Judicial Service Commission.
The state chairman of JUSUN, Mas’ud Ubangari, confirmed this on Wednesday to our correspondent in Lafia, the state capital.
Ubangari said the action followed the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum issued to the relevant authorities.
He directed all JUSUN members to embark on the indefinite strike with effect from midnight on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, expressing concern that the authorities had resorted to delay tactics instead of addressing their demands.
Ubangari listed the union’s demands to include immediate implementation of the 40 per cent Peculiar Allowance approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, financial autonomy for the judiciary, a 58.1 per cent salary increase, and implementation of pending conversions and outstanding promotions, among others.
According to a statement obtained by our correspondent from Ogbere Zachariah, the Public Relations Officer of JUSUN, the union lamented what it described as negligence on the part of the Nasarawa State Government in responding to its demands.
“It is disheartening to note that instead of addressing our demands which were officially communicated to both the Government and the Chairman, Judicial Service Commission, and copied to the DSS, Commissioner of Police, Attorney-General, NBA and other relevant authorities, they have chosen to employ delay tactics and are merely playing to the gallery.
“It is rather unfortunate that all the relevant authorities have chosen to remain silent, pretending to be ignorant of our demands, which include: Reinstatement of the 58.1% salary increase approved and implemented since 2010 but hitherto withdrawn, despite the excruciating economic hardship in the country. Workers of the Judiciary in Nasarawa State remain the worst paid in Nigeria.
“Implementation of the 40% Peculiar Allowance approved by the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission since 2014; Full compliance by the Executive with the release of Financial Autonomy as enshrined in the 4th Alteration of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Nasarawa State Gazette of 2021 signed by His Excellency, Engr. A. A. Sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State.
“Cancellation of contract appointments with a view to allowing staff to enjoy career progression without barriers, as provided for in the Public Service Rules of both the Federal and State Governments; Facilitation of the approval of 40 years of service and 65 years as retirement age for all Judiciary staff, as done for Magistrates and other Judges in the State through the JSC.
“Immediate implementation of the Justice Shams Shama-led Committee Report of 2026,” the statement read.
According to the statement, until all the relevant authorities mentioned above become deliberate in addressing all the union’s demands, the industrial action will continue unabated.
Meanwhile, the State Judicial Service Commission has directed all judicial staff to report at their respective duty posts and remain at work in compliance with the subsisting order of the National Industrial Court.
A statement issued by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Ramatu Idris, directed all chief registrars to ensure strict compliance with the directive.
The Commission appealed to all parties to maintain industrial peace and avoid any action capable of disrupting the administration of justice and the delivery of judicial services to the people of Nasarawa State.
“In response to these demands, the Commission constituted a Committee, headed by Hon. Justice Abdullahi Hassan Shams Shama, to investigate the issues raised and make recommendations towards resolving the dispute. The Committee has completed its assignment and submitted its Report for consideration.
“The Commission therefore considers the proposed industrial action at this stage premature, particularly in view of the ongoing process initiated to address the Union’s demands and the existence of a subsisting order/ruling of the National Industrial Court concerning the proposed industrial action.
“The Commission accordingly calls on the Union and all staff to respect and comply with the subsisting Court Order and refrain from embarking on industrial action at this stage, thereby allowing the established process for resolving the issues to run its course.
“The Commission also assures the Union that its grievances are receiving due and serious consideration and that the Committee’s Report will facilitate further consideration and appropriate action by the relevant authorities,” the statement added.
Our correspondent gathered that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria had, on Monday, September 7, 2026, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government and the Judicial Service Commission after the expiration of an earlier 21-day ultimatum.
