Osun Workers’ Strike: NULGE Demands Immediate Release Of Withheld Funds

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has demanded the immediate release of funds due to local governments in Osun State by the federal government.

The union blamed the continued withholding of the allocations on the prolonged crisis that has triggered industrial action by council workers.

The union, in a statement signed by its President-General, Comrade Aliyu Haruna, and General Secretary, Comrade Gambo Isah, condemned the circumstances surrounding the warning strike embarked upon by local government workers in the state from Sunday, November 8, to midnight on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

NULGE expressed concern that thousands of local government employees had been subjected to hardship and uncertainty because of the prolonged leadership and funding crisis in the state’s local government system.

It described the situation as unacceptable, insisting that workers should not bear the consequences of political disagreements, leadership controversies and administrative failures.

The union maintained that the financial autonomy of local governments, as affirmed by the Supreme Court, must translate into practical financial independence, effective service delivery and prompt payment of workers’ salaries and entitlements.

It argued that local government autonomy would remain meaningless if councils were denied access to their financial resources, warning that the situation could further undermine their ability to discharge statutory responsibilities and meet workers’ obligations.

Consequently, the national leadership demanded the immediate resolution of all outstanding issues surrounding the release and accessibility of funds due to local governments in Osun State.

It also called for an urgent and lasting resolution of the leadership crisis in the state’s local government system in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions.

NULGE further demanded protection for workers against salary delays, denial of entitlements and any form of victimisation arising from the crisis.

The union urged the federal government, Osun State Government and other relevant stakeholders to intervene urgently and engage constructively to restore normalcy and industrial harmony in the affected councils.

Reaffirming its solidarity with the leadership and entire workforce of NULGE in Osun State, the national secretariat assured the workers that it would not abandon its responsibility to defend their rights, welfare and dignity.

While urging the striking workers to remain peaceful and disciplined, the union called on all parties to demonstrate political maturity and genuine commitment to resolving the crisis without further delay.

It warned that the continued withholding of local government funds was not merely a labour dispute but a threat to grassroots democracy, effective service delivery and the economic survival of thousands of Nigerian families.

The statement reads, “The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) expresses deep concern and unequivocally condemns the circumstances that have compelled Local Government workers in Osun State to embark on a warning strike from Sunday, 8th November, to midnight of Wednesday, 11th November, 2026.

“The industrial action is a consequence of the prolonged leadership and funding crisis in the local government system in Osun State, particularly the withholding of funds due to the local governments by the federal government.

“NULGE considers it unacceptable and unjust that thousands of local government workers should be subjected to hardship and uncertainty because of political disagreements, leadership controversies and administrative failures. Workers must never become victims of political power struggles or be made to pay the price for failures of governance.

“Consequently, the national secretariat demands: Immediate resolution of all outstanding issues surrounding the release and accessibility of funds due to the local governments in Osun State

“An urgent and lasting resolution of the leadership crisis in the State’s Local Government system in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions.

“Protection of workers from salary delays, denial of entitlements and any form of victimisation arising from the crisis. Immediate intervention and constructive engagement by the federal government, Osun State Government and all relevant stakeholders to restore normalcy and industrial harmony.”

While urging the workers to remain peaceful and disciplined, NULGE calls on all parties to demonstrate political maturity and genuine commitment to resolving the crisis without further delay.

“The continued withholding of local government funds is not merely a labour issue; it is a threat to grassroots democracy, effective service delivery and the economic survival of thousands of Nigerian families. The time for political blame games is over. The time for decisive action is now,” it added.