Judiciary Workers Threaten Strike in Federal Courts Over Unpaid Wages, Issue 21-Day Ultimatum

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to federal judiciary institutions across the country, threatening to embark on a strike over the non-implementation of the national minimum wage and other outstanding payments. If the government fails to meet their demands, workers in 11 federal courts and judiciary bodies may shut down operations, disrupting legal proceedings nationwide.

JUSUN’s past strikes have severely affected court activities at both federal and state levels, further slowing Nigeria’s already sluggish judicial processes. The latest ultimatum, effective from January 23, 2025, was communicated to the management of affected judiciary institutions through a circular dated January 20. Signed by the union’s acting secretary, M.J. Akwashi, the directive was addressed to JUSUN chapters in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, National Industrial Court, Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), and the FCT High Court. Other institutions affected include the National Judicial Council (NJC), FCT Judicial Service Committee, Customary Court of Appeal, FCT Sharia Court of Appeal, and the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

The union is demanding the implementation of the national minimum wage, a 25-35% salary increase under the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUSS), and the N35,000 wage award approved by the federal government last year. JUSUN accuses the government of failing to release funds despite repeated negotiations and agreements.

Workers at the FCT High Court, Abuja, have already responded to the directive by issuing a formal ultimatum to their management. In a letter dated January 23, the JUSUN chapter at the court warned of impending industrial action if their grievances were not addressed. “Failure of the federal government to release funds for the above demands will result in the union’s inability to guarantee industrial harmony,” the notice read.

This latest move adds to a broader wage crisis affecting both federal and state judiciary workers. Since last year, JUSUN members in 12 states and the FCT have been embroiled in disputes over the non-implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage, which was approved following the removal of fuel subsidies. The affected states include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Nasarawa, Katsina, Oyo, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.

In some states, the standoff has already resulted in strikes. In Abia State, judiciary workers have been on strike since last year, accusing the government of failing to honor an agreement signed on November 8, 2024. The deal stipulated that the new minimum wage, along with outstanding entitlements, would be implemented from October 2024. However, JUSUN alleges that the government has refused to comply, withholding judiciary salaries and allocations.

The union has vowed to continue its industrial action in Abia State until the state government meets its obligations. With the federal ultimatum now in place, a nationwide shutdown of the judiciary looms, threatening to disrupt legal proceedings and deepen the crisis in Nigeria’s justice system.