The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has officially suspended its nationwide strike following the intervention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and other top stakeholders. The strike, which began on Sunday night, was called off on Tuesday, with workers directed to resume duties on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
In a communiqué signed by JUSUN’s National Vice-President, Mustapha Laminu, along with principal officers across judiciary sectors, the union agreed to suspend the industrial action after receiving firm assurances that their demands would be addressed within a month.
The strike was originally declared due to the federal government’s failure to implement a number of long-standing agreements, including the payment of a five-month wage award, implementation of the proposed N70,000 national minimum wage, and enforcement of a 25%/35% salary increase as outlined in the 2025 Appropriation Act.
The union had previously expressed frustration over what it described as “unproductive meetings” with the Minister of Labour and Employment. However, in Monday’s communiqué, JUSUN acknowledged the “noble intervention” of the CJN, the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and other concerned stakeholders.
The communiqué stated, “That the JUSUN oblige the noble intervention of the Honourable, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi; NLC and other stakeholders. To give the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria and the relevant stakeholders time to engage the Federal Government to ensure the release of funds to the Judiciary within one month.”
It added that once funds are released, JUSUN’s key demands—including the new minimum wage, its arrears, the salary increase, and the pending wage award—must be implemented without delay.
In light of the CJN’s commitment, the union resolved to halt the strike and resume normal court activities. “Consequent upon the commitment of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, JUSUN and its organs after due consideration agreed to suspend the ongoing industrial strike action. With this development, members of staff are hereby directed to resume work tomorrow Wednesday, 4th June 2025.”
During the strike, court activities across the country were disrupted. The Federal High Court and Court of Appeal headquarters in Abuja had their gates shut, although staff of the Supreme Court remained on duty, as earlier clarified in a separate communiqué.
As the judiciary gears up to return to full operations, stakeholders are hopeful that the federal government will honor its commitments within the agreed timeframe to prevent a future recurrence of the shutdown.
