Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Borno State has issued a two-week ultimatum to the state government, demanding the payment of outstanding promotion arrears, pensions, gratuities, and implementation of the minimum wage for local government workers.
The union warned that failure to meet these demands within the stipulated period would trigger industrial action capable of shutting down government activities across the state, including local government secretariats.
Speaking during the 2026 Workers’ Day rally in Maiduguri on Friday, the Borno State NLC Chairman, Comrade Yusuf Inuwa, expressed frustration over what he described as years of neglect of workers’ welfare.
The rally, which featured a street procession from the BOSCO premises to the Musa Usman State Secretariat, ended with the formal presentation of the union’s demands to the Head of Service, Dr. Mohammed Ghuluze, who was represented by Dr. Sadiq Abubakar.
Inuwa lamented that several categories of workers, particularly at the local government level, are yet to benefit from the approved N72,000 minimum wage. He also alleged that pensioners in the state have gone without payments for years, noting that pension reviews approved at the federal level have not been implemented.
According to him, workers had remained patient over the years due to the security challenges posed by insurgency in the state, but insisted that the government must now reciprocate their understanding by addressing their grievances.
“We can no longer continue in hardship while huge sums are budgeted annually without corresponding disbursement,” he said, warning that the union would not hesitate to embark on strike if the government fails to act.
The NLC also called for urgent reforms in the education sector, including the immediate settlement of outstanding allowances owed to teaching staff.
Other labour leaders who addressed the rally, including former state NLC chairmen, Comrade Bulama Abiso and Comrade Zanna Shettima, as well as NLC Patron, Professor Ibrahim Umara of the University of Maiduguri, urged the government to prioritise workers’ welfare and resolve all pending issues without delay.
They also dismissed allegations that the rally was politically motivated or aimed at disrupting activities in the state, describing such claims as attempts to undermine the credibility of the labour movement.
Responding on behalf of the state government, Dr. Sadiq Abubakar assured workers that their concerns were receiving attention. He disclosed that committees had already been set up to review the issues raised and expressed optimism that the governor would act on their recommendations once submitted.
He appealed for patience, assuring that the government remains committed to resolving the outstanding matters within the agreed timeframe.
