Ogun Labour Unions Persist with Indefinite Strike Despite Governor’s Intervention

Labour unions in Ogun State have reaffirmed their commitment to an ongoing indefinite strike, asserting that the industrial action will persist until their longstanding grievances are adequately addressed by the state government.

Despite multiple meetings with Governor Dapo Abiodun aimed at reaching a resolution, the workers—under the umbrella of the Organized Labour—are unyielding in their demands. The strike, which began on Tuesday, was primarily initiated to challenge the Ogun State Pension Reform Law, which the workers want suspended due to alleged mismanagement and negligence.

For nearly 17 years, successive Ogun State administrations have reportedly failed to remit the mandatory contributory pension funds, resulting in an outstanding pension liability estimated at ₦82 billion. The unions accuse the government of gross dereliction, leaving thousands of retirees without their entitled benefits under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Public Services Crippled Across Ogun State

According to reports from LMSINT MEDIA, the indefinite strike has led to a near-complete shutdown of public sector operations. Essential services such as education, healthcare, and judicial processes have ground to a halt. Public schools, law courts, and hospitals remain locked, while both state and local government secretariats are deserted, exacerbating the hardship faced by citizens reliant on these services.

Governor Abiodun’s Response and Proposed Payment Plan

In an effort to pacify the aggrieved workers, Governor Dapo Abiodun convened a meeting with the Organized Labour leaders to address the core issues, particularly the delayed implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme and other associated concerns. During the dialogue, the governor pledged that the government would start the immediate disbursement of pensions to retirees effective from July 2, 2025, under the CPS framework.

Governor Abiodun outlined a 10-year phased payment plan stretching from 2025 to 2030 as the first stage. The second phase is projected to span from 2030 to 2035, ensuring that retirees’ pensions are systematically cleared over time. Specifically, the governor committed that his administration would handle payments for the remaining two years of his tenure, with his successors expected to continue the program for the subsequent eight years.

Labour Unions Reject Government’s Proposal

However, the labour unions have collectively rejected the state government’s offer. They insisted that the proposed plans are insufficient and do not satisfactorily address their demands. The unions made their stance clear in a formal letter jointly signed by the Ogun State Chairmen and Secretaries of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), and 13 other affiliated unions.

The letter, dated Friday, July 18, 2025, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the outcomes of the previous meeting with the governor held on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The discussions during that meeting revolved around five major issues:

1. The Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
2. Implementation of the New Minimum Wage (2024) and its consequential adjustments.
3. Eight years of unpaid leave allowances.
4. Necessary pension adjustments based on economic changes.
5. Promotion backlogs for staff for the years 2023 and 2024.

In a marathon seven-hour emergency meeting convened by the State Organised Labour from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the union leaders meticulously reviewed the state government’s proposals on each of these pressing issues. Their conclusion was explicit: the government’s response, especially regarding the pension scheme, was inadequate and unsatisfactory.

The union leaders emphasized that their initial demands remain non-negotiable, and the declared industrial dispute, as outlined in their letter dated Monday, July 14, 2025, stands unrevoked. They vowed to sustain the strike action until their conditions are fully met by the Ogun State Government.