As tensions rise and public services remain frozen, the spotlight now turns to Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration
Ogun Workers Lock Down State in Face-Off with Dapo Abiodun Over ₦180bn Pension Disputes, Wage Injustice
ABEOKUTA, July 15, 2025 – Organised labour begins face off with Governor Dapo Abiodun in Ogun State as civil servants across the state commenced an indefinite strike action over a host of unresolved labour issues, including the non-remittance of ₦180 billion in pension deductions, unpaid leave allowances, and the haphazard implementation of the minimum wage.
The strike, declared by the Organised Labour in Ogun State – comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) – took effect from midnight on Monday, July 15, bringing government operations at both state and local levels to a standstill.
“In its 17 years of existence, the Ogun State Contributory Pension Scheme has been violated in every possible way,” stated a joint declaration by the state chapters of the NLC, TUC, and JNC.
“Only 34 months of expected 204 months of employer contributions have been remitted. For the past 14 years, workers’ deductions have been taken religiously but never passed on to their Pension Fund Administrators. This is not a savings scheme—it’s a drain.”
Pension Reform Crisis at the Core
At the heart of the dispute is the Ogun State Pension Reform Law (OGSPRL) 2008, which introduced the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) requiring both employee and employer contributions. However, labour leaders allege that while employees’ deductions have continued uninterrupted, the government has failed to remit its counterpart funds—leading to a pension deficit of over ₦180 billion.
“The statute-prescribed investments of these funds and the interests they should have yielded are lost in limbo. This is wage theft on a grand scale,” the labour declaration stated.
Silent Government, Broken Promises
Workers also slammed the government’s inaction following the much-publicised Adekunle Hassan Pension Reform Committee set up in 2022.
“Neither its findings nor its recommendations were made public. No action has followed. All correspondence to the government has been met with deafening silence,” the unions said.
The situation has been further aggravated by the failure of the state to:
Pay outstanding eight years of leave allowances.
Implement the approved 2023 and 2024 promotions.
Enforce consequential adjustment on minimum pensions.
Labour Warns of Total Paralysis
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in a follow-up statement signed by State Secretary Comrade Chris Omonch, directed all members to withdraw their services until further notice.
“Any staff who flouts this directive does so at his or her own risk. We will not take responsibility for anyone who breaks rank. A workforce united can never be defeated,” Comrade Omonch stated.
Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) ordered all public primary and secondary school teachers in the state to stay at home, warning that the action would continue until all demands were met.
“This action is lawful and aimed at pressing home our fundamental rights. Do not entertain fear,” said the NUT leadership.
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) also followed suit, directing members across the 20 local government areas and pension boards to observe the strike.
“Monitoring teams will be going round to ensure total compliance. We are not backing down,” warned Comrade Hassan Yusuf O., State Secretary of NULGE.
A State in Standstill
From Tuesday morning, schools, local government offices, courts, and health facilities across the state will remained closed. Government hospitals and offices will also be shut down.
Despite the mounting pressure, the Dapo Abiodun-led Ogun State Government has yet to issue a formal response.
Call for Urgent Dialogue
While expressing their readiness to engage with the government, labour unions insist that any dialogue must be sincere and result-oriented.
“We are open to talks, but the government must come to the table with more than promises. It must come with solutions,” said a senior official of the Joint Negotiating Council.
As tensions rise and public services remain frozen, the spotlight now turns to Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, with stakeholders urging swift intervention to avert a protracted crisis. Read More
