In a sweeping industrial action that has paralyzed critical federal courts in Nigeria’s capital, members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) have commenced an indefinite strike over the Federal Government’s alleged refusal to implement key components of the new wage structure and promised salary enhancements for judiciary workers. On Monday, June 2, 2025, the union officially locked the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, the Federal High Court (FHC) Headquarters, and the Court of Appeal in Abuja, leaving many cases stalled and stakeholders frustrated.
The union’s demands include the implementation of the recently approved ₦70,000 national minimum wage, a 25–35% salary increase for judiciary workers, and the payment of a pending wage award spanning several months. Although the Supreme Court of Nigeria continues to operate normally, other courts have effectively shut down due to the strike, further escalating tensions between the judiciary staff and the Federal Government.
JUSUN Alleges Government Failure to Honour Agreements
According to union leaders Abdulrazaq Yusuf (Chairman, JUSUN FCT High Court) and Samuel Ikpatt (Chairman, JUSUN Federal High Courts), the strike became inevitable after negotiations with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment collapsed on May 30, 2025. In a circular distributed to members and tagged “NOTICE OF AN INDEFINITE STRIKE ACTION,” JUSUN stated its members would remain at home indefinitely pending full compliance with its demands.
“The union’s decision to embark on strike was informed by the failure of the Federal Government to implement the new minimum wage, the 25/35% salary increment, and the wage award for judiciary staff,” the circular read.
Yusuf emphasized that the strike affects the entire FCT High Court system, with every jurisdiction under its purview completely shut down. He further claimed that, despite the government’s pronouncements, judiciary workers have yet to benefit from any aspect of the revised wage framework for almost a year.
“We are not enjoying the salary review that was approved by the President,” he said. “The FCT judiciary workers have not received the wage award for five months, and the 25–35% increase has not been implemented either.”
Judiciary Workers Demand Full Inclusion in Wage Reforms
Yusuf stressed that JUSUN members are only asking for fairness, highlighting that judiciary workers must not be left behind while other public servants receive the new wage benefits. He argued that even the five-month wage award arrears that were promised have yet to be disbursed to the judiciary staff.
“We agreed that they are going to give a ₦70,000 minimum wage, which other sectors have started enjoying,” he said. “We are demanding that the same treatment be extended to us.”
Supporting Yusuf’s claims, Ikpatt noted that all FHC offices across the country have been shut in compliance with JUSUN’s national directive. “We are following the national leadership of the union,” he said, rejecting suggestions that the Federal High Court might have withdrawn from the industrial action.
Background: The New National Minimum Wage Debate
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the new ₦70,000 national minimum wage into law during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in 2024. The policy, widely seen as a response to public discontent over rising living costs and economic hardship, was a product of months of intense negotiation between the federal government and organised labour.
Initially, the government proposed ₦62,000 as the new wage benchmark. However, labour unions insisted on ₦250,000, citing soaring inflation and the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidies. The prolonged deadlock eventually ended with a compromise, and Tinubu announced ₦70,000 as the agreed figure.
The wage review included additional components such as a wage award meant to cushion the transition from the old minimum wage of ₦30,000. Furthermore, the government announced a 25–35% increase in salary structures across various sectors. Yet, judiciary workers claim they have been excluded from all these financial improvements, a situation JUSUN now calls “unacceptable.”
Operational Disruptions and Public Concerns
With the strike in full effect, several key courts in Abuja remain inaccessible to the public. Observations at the FCT High Court in Maitama, the Federal High Court Headquarters, and the Court of Appeal confirm that these facilities are under lock and key, leaving litigants and legal practitioners stranded.
The Supreme Court, however, continues to operate. According to Yusuf, both the Supreme Court and the National Judicial Council (NJC) opted out of the strike action for reasons not publicly disclosed. Nevertheless, the absence of activities in the lower federal courts has significantly disrupted ongoing legal proceedings and may create a backlog that could take months to resolve.
Legal professionals and human rights activists have expressed concern over the prolonged shutdown. Many warn that the inability of the courts to function could affect justice delivery, delay sensitive trials, and create constitutional challenges, especially in cases where time-bound rulings are essential.
What’s Next: Pressure Mounts on the Federal Government
As the strike begins to take a toll on Nigeria’s judicial system, pressure is mounting on the Tinubu administration to take swift action. Analysts argue that a prompt resolution would require the government to not only fulfill its wage promises but also engage in honest dialogue with JUSUN to prevent similar shutdowns in the future.
JUSUN has reiterated its readiness to continue the industrial action until its demands are met. “We are not backing down,” Yusuf insisted. “The government must treat judiciary workers with fairness and urgency.”
While no official response has yet come from the Federal Ministry of Labour or the Attorney General’s Office regarding a renewed negotiation effort, legal stakeholders and the wider public await a speedy resolution to prevent further paralysis of the judicial system.
Conclusion
The strike by judiciary workers highlights the growing frustration within Nigeria’s civil service over unfulfilled wage promises and structural disparities in salary implementation. As one of the most critical arms of government, the judiciary cannot function effectively when its workforce feels neglected and disenfranchised. If the Federal Government fails to address these grievances swiftly, the consequences could ripple beyond courtrooms into Nigeria’s broader governance framework.
