Federal civil servants across various ministries, departments, and agencies in Oyo State have commenced an indefinite strike to protest several months of unpaid wages, creating a tense atmosphere in the state’s public service sector. The workers, under the umbrella of the Association of Federal Public Service Employees in Oyo, began their industrial action on Monday, citing neglect by the federal government and failure to resolve lingering salary arrears and entitlements.
The strike, which has paralyzed operations in several federal establishments in Ibadan and other towns within the state, has sparked widespread concern among citizens who depend on these agencies for essential services ranging from immigration to education, health, and agricultural support.
Genesis of the Dispute
According to union leaders, the dispute stems from persistent salary delays affecting junior and senior civil servants in Oyo State. The workers alleged that while their counterparts in other parts of the country have been paid up to date, employees in the state have been subjected to inexplicable delays spanning up to five months in some cases.
Mr. Joseph Adeyemi, Chairman of the Joint Union of Federal Civil Service Workers in Oyo State, addressed the media during a protest rally held at the Federal Secretariat in Ibadan. He stated that the union had exhausted all channels of dialogue and communication before resorting to industrial action.
“We have written letters, engaged in meetings, and given ultimatums, all to no avail. Our members are suffering, and the government has shown no willingness to address our plight. This strike is our last resort,” Adeyemi said.
He further explained that some workers had not received their January salaries as of mid-April, while others were being owed various allowances, including transfer benefits and promotion arrears.
Government Response Still Unclear
As of the time of filing this report, the federal government had not issued a formal statement in response to the strike action. Efforts to reach the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for comments were unsuccessful. However, sources within the ministry hinted that talks may soon be initiated to find a resolution.
A senior federal officer in Abuja, who preferred to remain anonymous, disclosed that the issue may be linked to administrative bottlenecks and discrepancies in staff verification records within the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
“There are some challenges with reconciling data on the payment platform. That could be one reason why some states are experiencing delays, but it is being worked on,” the official said.
Services Disrupted Across Agencies
The impact of the strike was immediately felt across several federal agencies in Oyo State. At the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, some departments experienced reduced workforce presence, although emergency and critical care units were not entirely shut down.
Likewise, federal schools in the state, including Federal Government Colleges and Unity Schools, reported partial closures, with many teachers absent from duty. Parents expressed concern over the disruption of academic activities and called on authorities to act quickly.
Federal offices of the Nigeria Immigration Service, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ibadan also recorded very low attendance, with several offices locked as workers joined the strike.
Mrs. Olufunke Adebayo, a resident who visited the NIMC office in Ibadan for her National Identification Number (NIN) update, expressed frustration.
“I took time off work to come here today, only to be told that workers are on strike. This is not fair to the public. The government should have prevented things from reaching this level,” she said.
Union Demands and Threats of Escalation
The workers have vowed to continue the strike until all outstanding wages and entitlements are fully paid. They are also demanding an overhaul of the payroll system to ensure that future payments are processed without delays or discrepancies.
“We are not backing down until every kobo owed is paid,” said Comrade Sulaimon Kareem, a union member. “We want a permanent solution. Federal workers in Oyo are not second-class citizens. We deserve the same treatment as our colleagues in other states.”
The union has also threatened to expand the strike to include picketing of federal offices, road marches, and press campaigns if the federal government fails to initiate immediate dialogue.
Call for President Tinubu’s Intervention
Some stakeholders have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally intervene in the matter. A coalition of civil society groups in Oyo State issued a statement calling on the president to treat the issue with urgency and direct the appropriate agencies to resolve the matter.
“It is unacceptable that federal workers are going hungry in a state that plays a central role in Nigeria’s development. This issue reflects poorly on the government’s commitment to worker welfare,” the statement read.
Conclusion
The indefinite strike by federal workers in Oyo State is a major flashpoint in Nigeria’s ongoing labour struggles, highlighting the challenges of payroll management, decentralization, and worker welfare under the current system. With federal services grinding to a halt in parts of the state, pressure is mounting on the government to act swiftly and restore normalcy.
Until then, affected workers remain resolute in their demand for fair treatment, and the general public continues to bear the brunt of a system strained by inefficiency and bureaucratic delays.
