The Osun NLC strike has disrupted public services across the state, forcing schools, hospitals, courts and government offices to suspend or limit their operations as organised labour protests the continued withholding of statutory allocations meant for local government councils.
The three-day industrial action, which began at midnight on November 8, followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to the Federal Government and the Osun State Government. The union said both governments had failed to resolve the disagreement over local government funds despite earlier efforts to secure an agreement.
The strike is a solidarity action organised in support of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), whose members have faced prolonged difficulties because of the dispute. The Osun NLC leadership has directed all affiliate unions across the state to participate and ensure full compliance with the industrial action.
According to the union’s directive, the strike will run until midnight on Wednesday, November 11.
Osun NLC Strike Disrupts Schools, Hospitals and Government Offices
The industrial action has affected several public institutions, particularly in Osogbo, where workers have stayed away from their duty posts and residents have encountered difficulties accessing government services.
A report by the News Agency of Nigeria indicated that the Osun State Government Secretariat and the State House of Assembly remained closed on Monday. The entrances to the Olorunda and Osogbo local government secretariats also remained locked as workers complied with the NLC directive.
Public education has also suffered significant disruption, with primary and secondary schools shutting their gates across parts of the state. Some students who arrived at school without knowing about the strike had to return home after discovering that teachers were unavailable.
Healthcare services have experienced similar challenges, raising concerns about the effect of the industrial action on residents who depend on public medical facilities.
At the Osun State Specialist Hospital in Asubiaro, an official disclosed that the facility had stopped receiving new patients because only a limited number of workers remained available to provide services. However, patients admitted before the strike began continued receiving medical attention from the staff who remained on duty.
A primary healthcare centre around Odi-Olowo in Osogbo also remained closed during a visit by a correspondent. Meanwhile, the Osun State High Court premises in Okefia shut its entrance to the public as the industrial action continued.
These disruptions have placed additional pressure on residents who need medical attention, educational services and administrative assistance during the strike period.
NLC Explains Demands Over Withheld Local Government Allocations
The Osun NLC said the strike became necessary because the continued withholding of local government allocations has affected the welfare and financial security of council employees.
According to the union’s chairman, Christopher Arapasopo, and secretary, Victor Amusan, the situation has created uncertainty around workers’ cooperative deductions, allowances, pensions, gratuities and other legitimate entitlements.
The labour leaders argued that the financial difficulties confronting local government employees should concern the entire labour movement rather than NULGE alone. They therefore called on affiliate unions to support the action and press for a lasting resolution.
The dispute has its roots in the prolonged disagreement over the administration and control of Osun’s 30 local government areas. Political and legal disagreements between the state government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the legitimacy of local government administrations have contributed to the controversy surrounding access to council funds.
The Federal Government’s decision to withhold the disputed allocations has further complicated the situation, leaving local government employees and other stakeholders demanding clarity over the release and management of the funds.
The Supreme Court addressed aspects of the dispute in December 2025, when it dismissed a case filed by the Osun State Government because the state Attorney-General lacked the authority to institute the action on behalf of the councils. However, the disagreement over access to the allocations has continued.
Labour Seeks Government Intervention as Strike Continues
The Osun NLC has called on the Federal Government and the state government to intervene and resolve the dispute rather than allow the situation to continue affecting workers and public services.
Although Governor Ademola Adeleke had reportedly arranged for local government workers to receive their net salaries without deductions, the union maintains that this intervention does not replace the regular release of statutory allocations due to the councils.
The NLC is demanding the release of outstanding funds and measures to protect workers’ salaries, pensions, allowances and other entitlements.
The union has also warned that workers’ political support cannot be taken for granted ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that their welfare must remain a priority.
The industrial action is expected to end at midnight on November 11, but its conclusion may not automatically resolve the underlying disagreement.
Residents and affected workers will be watching for a response from the relevant authorities as pressure mounts for an agreement that will restore normal government activities and address the financial concerns of local government employees.
