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Local government

Akwa Ibom State Labour Unions Back Out of Proposed Strike

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Akwa Ibom State chapter's planned strike, set to begin tomorrow, has been opposed by affiliate unions. The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), National Union of Pensioners (NUP), and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPNSC) have all withdrawn their support for the strike. The unions cited various reasons, including a lack of justification for the strike and a pledge of loyalty to the state government. The issue at hand revolves around the non-implementation of the N32,000 pension increase and alleged discriminatory treatment of staff members at the State Assembly Service Commission.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NULGE leadership announced its withdrawal from the proposed strike, citing the state government's efforts to clear gratuity arrears, pay pensions promptly, and settle leave grants.
  • The NUP expressed displeasure over the planned action, stating that the NLC's major demand had already been discussed with the Head of the Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, on August 26, 2025.
  • The JPNSC reviewed the NLC's grievances over staff postings at the Assembly Service Commission and declared that it's not part of the planned NLC protest.
  • The special adviser to the governor on Labour Relations argued that the issue in contention was already a settled matter.
  • The four staff members of the State Assembly Service Commission who were accused of workplace diabolism and demobilised have not been reinstated.
  • The affiliate unions' withdrawal from the strike will likely impact the planned action's effectiveness.

Statistics:

  • Four staff members of the State Assembly Service Commission were demobilised due to alleged workplace diabolism.
  • The state government has been paying pensions promptly and clearing gratuity arrears from 2014-2018, and currently 2019.
  • The Head of the Civil Service agreed to discuss the N32,000 pension increase on August 26, 2025.
  • The implementation date of the N32,000 pension increase is yet to be determined.

Sources:

  • Leadership
  • Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC)
  • National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE)
  • National Union of Pensioners (NUP)
  • Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPNSC)
  • Government of Akwa Ibom State
  • AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)

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