The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) chapters at the Supreme Court and the National Judicial Council (NJC) have opted out of the nationwide strike proposed by the union’s national body.
On Friday, JUSUN’s national leadership issued a directive for its members to commence an industrial action starting from midnight on Sunday.
The strike was called following unsuccessful discussions facilitated by the Minister of Labour and Employment concerning the union’s outstanding demands.
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The striking circular, dated May 31, 2025, and signed by JUSUN’s General Secretary, M.J. Akwashiki, outlined key demands, including payment of a five-month wage award, enforcement of a ₦70,000 national minimum wage, and implementation of a 25/35 per cent salary increment.
Despite this directive, the Supreme Court’s chapter stated it would not join the strike, citing the abruptness of the directive and previous resolutions taken by lower court branches.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Danladi Nda Y., on May 31, the chapter noted that the Supreme Court’s leadership, under the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, had been actively working to improve staff welfare.
“A short notice and decisions reached by our colleagues in (lower) sister courts cannot be manageable by us in the Supreme Court. More so, the efforts and struggles of His Lordship, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun (CJN), in this matter cannot be put in vain or swept under the carpet but must achieve the desirable result.
“Our chapter is discussing tirelessly with all federal court chapters to put in cognisance of the restless effort and commitment by His Lordship the Chief Justice of Nigeria,” the statement read.
In the same vein, the NJC chapter expressed its decision to refrain from participating in the industrial action.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Joel Ebiloma, the chapter stated that it remained committed to addressing outstanding issues internally.
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It disclosed that a two-week grace period had been agreed upon to allow the Minister of Labour and other key stakeholders to resolve lingering matters with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
“In 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 to 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 wage award, minimum wage, and the 25/35 per cent salary increase have been captured,” the statement added.
