In a dramatic turn of events, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Federal High Court Chapter, announced on Sunday that it will commence an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, June 2, 2025, after four-hour talks with the Department of State Services (DSS) ended in deadlock.
This decision comes even as the Supreme Court chapter of JUSUN opted out of the industrial action (June 1, 2025).
The unfolding crisis exposes deep fractures within the judiciary and threatens to paralyse federal courts across the nation at a time when citizens are grappling with escalating inflation and eroding living standards.
DSS Mediation Falters: Four Hours, Zero Progress
A JUSUN executive, speaking exclusively to SaharaReporters on Sunday evening, revealed that despite a protracted meeting with the DSS’s Director-General and Director of Operations, “resolutions were not reached”
According to the source, the meeting—convened at the behest of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatukunbo Kekere-Ekun—failed to allay the union’s grievances, leaving the union’s leadership resolute that the strike would go ahead as scheduled.
Comrade Mohammed Isah, Secretary of the JUSUN Supreme Court Chapter (SCA), confirmed in a brief message: “We are just out of the meeting with the necessary stakeholders but JUSUN insisted that strike should continue.
All staff should remain at home till further notice as another meeting will take place tomorrow as the strike is ongoing”.
In effect, the status quo will remain until fresh directives emerge from either the CJN-convened stakeholders’ forum or new developments within the federal government.
Supreme Court Chapter Bows Out, Citing Unique Circumstances
In an extraordinary divergence, the Supreme Court chapter of JUSUN issued a communiqué on May 31, 2025, resolving not to join the national strike.
Twelve executive members—including Comrade Danladi Nda Y., Comrade Bala Sambo and Comrade Comfort Ataghar M.—emphasised that “the prevailing situation at the Supreme Court was different and demanded a tailored approach”.
They cited “ongoing engagements” and “substantial efforts” by CJN Kekere-Ekun to address outstanding financial obligations as key considerations.
In their communique, the Supreme Court chapter lauded the CJN’s interventions, noting that she had visited the Presidential Villa to advocate for the payment of accrued arrears.
The chapter argued that joining the strike would be “a misplacement of priority” given the apex court’s indispensable role in safeguarding judicial continuity, especially on the eve of high-profile constitutional cases.
By distancing itself, the Supreme Court chapter underscores internal divisions over strategy—even as it does not dispute the broader concerns around wage arrears and non-implementation of agreed salary increments.
From Frustrated Negotiations to Striking Demands
The Federal High Court Chapter of JUSUN, in a circular dated May 30, 2025, directed the immediate shutdown of various Federal High Courts nationwide from June 2 onwards, citing the breakdown of negotiations with the Minister of Labour and Employment.
The union’s demands are threefold:
Payment of Five Months’ Wage Arrears – Judiciary workers claim they have not received their wage award for five consecutive months, effectively leaving thousands of government employees without their rightful earnings.
Implementation of the ₦70,000 National Minimum Wage – Although President Tinubu signed the National Minimum Wage Act into law in April 2024, reports indicate that implementation has been erratic, with many public-sector workers continuing to receive sub-par salaries.
Enforcement of the 25%–35% Salary Increase – Under earlier agreements brokered by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, judiciary workers were promised a 25% pay rise for lower-cadre staff and 35% for senior cadre officers. The failure to honour this commitment has deepened resentment among lower courts’ staffers.
The union’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Gideon A. Maku, stated bluntly that “as a result of the failed negotiations and lack of government commitment, the Union has resolved to proceed on an indefinite strike effective from Monday, June 2”.
The circular instructs “all members of staff to remain at home until further notice,” signalling a total withdrawal of services and an impending gridlock of the federal judiciary.
High Stakes: Dozens of Courts and Thousands of Cases in Limbo
Nigeria boasts Federal High Courts in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), translating to approximately 37 chapters that will be adversely affected by this strike.
Given each court typically handles hundreds of civil, criminal and constitutional matters monthly, the strike threatens to generate a backlog surpassing 10,000 unresolved cases within weeks.
Analysts warn that this paralysis could undermine public trust in the judiciary, especially as citizens grapple with protracted delays and escalating litigants’ costs.
Moreover, non-judicial staff—comprising registrars, clerks, bailiffs, court ushers, typists and security personnel—form the bulk of JUSUN’s membership.
While exact membership figures are scant, it is widely estimated that JUSUN represents tens of thousands of workers across the federal judiciary.
A similar strike in 2021, which lasted over a month, saw over 5,000 court staff withdrawn from duty at the peak of the action.
If history is any guide, this new strike could exact a similar toll on judicial operations and citizens’ access to justice.
Economic Pressures Intensify Labour Discontent
The strike emerges against a backdrop of rampant inflation and fiscal strain. Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased marginally to 23.71% in April 2025—down from 24.23% in March—but remains debilitating for wage earners.
Coupled with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision in May to hold policy rates at 27.50%, costs of living continue to soar, further eroding the real value of judicial workers’ wages.
For lower-cadre staff earning well below the proposed ₦70,000 minimum wage, daily expenses on transport, accommodation and food have become insurmountable, fuelling urgency for union action.
Economic analysts note that when inflation hovers above 20%—as it did for most of 2024—the gap between distorted wages and cost of living widens exponentially.
A 25% pay increase, without baseline adjustment for inflation, offers scant relief; indeed, many workers still find themselves effectively earning 10–15% less in real terms than they did two years ago.
As one labour economist summarised, “The price of governance must be decent wages for those who keep the wheels of justice turning. Anything less courts a crisis” (IMF 2025 projections show inflation averaging 26.5% for 2025).
Political and Security Implications: DSS in the Fray
The involvement of the Department of State Services—Nigeria’s primary intelligence agency—in mediating a labour dispute marks a significant escalation.
Traditionally, labour-management conflicts fall under the purview of the Ministry of Labour and Employment or the National Industrial Court.
The DSS’s direct engagement implies that the federal government perceives the strike as a matter of national security, perhaps fearing court closures could embolden criminal networks or exacerbate political instability.
Experts warn that prolonged judicial paralysis could embolden armed groups, undermining rule of law in regions already plagued by insecurity.
A legal scholar at the University of Lagos commented, “When courts fall silent, lawless forces exploit the vacuum. The DSS’s involvement signals anxiety that justice deferred may become justice denied in extremis”.
Looking Ahead: CJN’s Stakeholders’ Summit and Uncertain Resolution
CJN Kekere-Ekun has convened a second round of talks for Monday, June 2, to include “all stakeholders that matter, including the DSS”.
Observers hope this inclusive forum might reconcile the rift between the Supreme Court chapter—which emphasises caution—and the Federal High Court chapter’s militant stance.
However, with both sides entrenched—one insisting on honouring existing agreements, the other pointing to budget constraints and fiscal realities—prospects of an immediate breakthrough appear dim.
In previous industrial actions, such as the 2021 JUSUN strike, resolution only came after interventions by the National Judicial Council, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and even the office of the President.
Given the Tinubu administration’s preoccupation with economic reforms, including subsidy removals and foreign exchange liberalisation, resolving judiciary workers’ demands may not top its priority list.
As a result, the coming days could see protracted standoffs, leaving courts idle, cases unresolved and public confidence eroded.
Additional reporting from Osaigbovo Okungbowa & Peter Jene
