The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria has announced a temporary suspension of its proposed nationwide industrial action, initially scheduled to commence on June 2, 2025.
The union has granted a two-week window to allow relevant authorities to address outstanding concerns.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Public Relations Officer of the JUSUN National Judicial Council Chapter, Mr. Joel Ebiloma, the suspension comes on the heels of a series of engagements between union leaders, the Minister of Labour, and other key stakeholders in the judiciary sector.
The decision to pause the strike follows high-level discussions initiated under the directive of the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to prevent a shutdown of court activities across the country.
During the meetings, it was mutually agreed that the Minister of Labour and other involved parties would be given a fortnight to resolve issues linked to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
Central to JUSUN’s demands is the release of statutory allocations to the judiciary as stipulated in the 2025 Appropriation Act, which also includes the payment of arrears from the Wage Award, adjustments to the national minimum wage, and the approved 25% and 35% salary increases.
The union’s statement reads in part, “Sequel to the circular of industrial action from the National Headquarters of JUSUN for its members at the Federal Judiciary level, to proceed on a strike action on Monday, the 2nd day of June, 2025, series of meetings were held.
“These meetings were between JUSUN of various Federal Judicial Bodies, the Minister of Labour, and other stakeholders from the Judiciary as mandated by the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“Having had several deliberations with the various stakeholders, NJC JUSUN is working round the clock to resolve all pending issues.
“In the aforesaid meetings that were held in the last 24 to 48 hours, it was resolved that we give the Minister of Labour and other critical stakeholders two weeks to solve the pending problems with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
“In the light of the above, we wish to state clearly that the NJC JUSUN hereby directs all staff to come to the office on Monday.
“This is to allow the relevant stakeholders engage the necessary authorities to ensure that the Accountant General of the Federation releases the statutory allocations to the Judiciary based on the 2025 Appropriation in which the arrears of the Wage Award, minimum wage, and the 25%/35% salary increase have been captured.
“We salute the patience, courage, and understanding of all our respected members in this struggle.
“We believe that with the concerted effort and zeal shown by our able Secretary of the Council, Malam Ahmed Gambo Saleh, the required funds will be released within the stated time frame and all of us shall have cause to smile following our collective victory,” the statement added.
The union expressed optimism that the commitments made during the deliberations will be honored within the grace period, thereby avoiding further disruption to judicial operations nationwide.
