Benue LG workers threaten strike over unpaid salaries, screening delays

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Benue State chapter, has threatened to embark on industrial action over worsening welfare conditions affecting local government workers across the state.

The union said delayed salaries, stalled promotions, unresolved pension matters and an ongoing staff screening exercise have pushed many workers into severe hardship.

In an open letter dated April 21, 2026, signed by the union’s State President, Joshua Adak Odiniya, and Secretary, Dickson Igbe, NULGE disclosed that more than 70 per cent of its members have neither been cleared nor paid salaries.

According to the union, the situation has become unbearable amid rising economic hardship, school resumption pressures and the ongoing farming season, which many rural workers rely on for survival.

The union described the development as devastating and warned that continued delays could trigger a major crisis in local government administration in the state.

NULGE also expressed concern over the slow pace of the screening exercise currently ongoing across the 23 local government areas, saying thousands of workers have been left uncertain about their jobs and welfare.

The union warned that it may be forced to take decisive industrial action if urgent steps are not taken to address the challenges affecting its members.

It urged the relevant authorities to speed up the screening process, clear outstanding salary arrears and resolve all pending labour-related issues.

Meanwhile, a civil society organisation, the Coalition for Grassroots Development in Benue, blamed worsening insecurity and economic hardship in the state on what it described as the systematic weakening of local government administration.

In a statement signed by its National President, Shima Asongu, and Secretary, Emmanuel Abuul, the group alleged that bureaucratic bottlenecks and financial restrictions imposed on councils were crippling governance at the grassroots.

The coalition claimed that delays in accessing local government funds have weakened emergency response efforts and worsened poverty, hunger and insecurity in rural communities.

It further alleged that local councils are subjected to multiple layers of approvals before accessing funds, even during emergencies, warning that the situation was negatively affecting healthcare delivery, waste management, rural infrastructure and food production.

The group also condemned the alleged freezing of local government accounts, describing it as unconstitutional and dangerous, especially at a time of escalating insecurity in the state.

While commending Governor Hyacinth Alia for efforts made so far, the coalition urged him to urgently intervene and resolve the growing crisis before it worsens public distrust and social unrest across the state.