Osun NLC Orders Three-Day Strike Over Withheld Local Government Funds

Labour directs affiliate unions to join industrial action from November 9 to 11, warns against non-compliance as dispute over council allocations deepens.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Osun State Council, has directed its affiliate unions across the state to embark on a three-day sympathy strike over the lingering controversy surrounding the statutory allocations of local government councils.

The industrial action, scheduled to commence on Monday, November 9, and end on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, is in solidarity with local government workers who the labour union says have continued to suffer hardship over the alleged withholding of funds meant for the councils.

The directive followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government and the Osun State Government to resolve the dispute, which has heightened tensions between organised labour and the authorities.

In a statement jointly signed by the NLC State Chairperson, Christopher Arapasopo, and Secretary, Victor Amusan, the Congress said the decision became necessary after efforts to secure a resolution failed to produce the desired outcome.

The union explained that the strike was intended to defend workers’ rights and welfare, particularly those of members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), who have been at the centre of the dispute.

According to the statement, the decision was reached at an emergency meeting of the State Executive Council held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

All affiliate unions were subsequently instructed to communicate the directive to their members in writing and ensure full compliance across their respective workplaces.

The Congress also warned that unions and individual members who deliberately undermine the industrial action could face disciplinary measures in line with its regulations.

The NLC maintained that the challenges confronting local government employees should not be regarded as the exclusive concern of NULGE, stressing that the entire labour movement has a responsibility to defend the interests of workers whenever their welfare is threatened.

It argued that the continued dispute over statutory allocations has serious implications for the economic security of council employees, insisting that their welfare cannot be adequately protected without resolving the funding controversy.

The Congress consequently urged its affiliate unions to demonstrate solidarity and remain united throughout the three-day action.

The dispute over local government finances has remained a contentious issue in Osun State, with questions surrounding access to statutory allocations and the administration of council funds generating tension among stakeholders.

The latest directive signals an escalation of the disagreement, as organised labour moves beyond issuing ultimatums to mobilising workers for industrial action.

The Federal Government and Osun State Government are yet to be quoted responding to the latest strike directive in the statement.