Legal officers in the Kano State civil service have announced an indefinite strike beginning midnight of Tuesday, March 11, 2026, citing unresolved welfare issues and the state government’s failure to implement previously approved agreements.
The strike was declared by the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Kano State Branch, during a press briefing in Kano by its Chairman, Barrister Aminu Abdullahi Shams.
Shams said the decision followed years of negotiations and failed interventions aimed at resolving the grievances of government lawyers in the state.
According to him, the association had formally notified the Head of Civil Service through a letter titled “Notice of Commencement of Indefinite Strike Action.”
He explained that the association had earlier written to the government through a letter referenced LOAN/KN/16/25 dated June 18, 2025, which led to the constitution of an eight-member technical committee to review the concerns raised by members.
Although the state government later approved some of the committee’s recommendations, Shams said the report was never implemented.
He added that a joint intervention meeting convened by the Secretary to the State Government and the state Attorney General following another notice issued by the association on January 29, 2026 also failed to produce any concrete outcome.
“Regrettably, nothing was achieved despite the undertakings made during the meeting,” he said.
The association noted that it had earlier suspended a planned strike in February 2026 after appeals from the state government and granted a 28-day grace period for the authorities to address their concerns.
However, Shams said no action was taken within the period.
He said members therefore resolved during a general congress held on March 9, 2026 to invoke the provisions of Sections 41 and 42 of the Trade Disputes Act, 1976 and proceed with an indefinite strike.
Shams explained that the decision was reached after careful consideration of the economic hardship and professional challenges faced by legal officers in the state public service.
Among the major grievances listed by the association are the non-payment of fair and reasonable salaries and allowances comparable to those paid to their counterparts in neighbouring states such as Jigawa.
The association also accused the government of failing to pay fringe benefit allowances since 2017 and denying members domestic servant allowances.
It further criticised the removal of sit-in and responsibility allowances for substantive directors and the failure to pay two months’ salary arrears owed to newly employed State Counsel.
Other concerns raised include the non-recomputation of retirement benefits for retired officers whose salaries were reduced during the implementation of the N71,000 minimum wage.
The association also cited poor working conditions, including lack of office accommodation, absence of toilet facilities, and the non-provision of official vehicles for legal officers.
Members also complained about the non-payment of a N170,000 monthly fuelling allowance reportedly enjoyed by magistrates and Sharia Court judges since January 2024.
The association further faulted the government for failing to implement automatic grade level adjustments for legal officers since 2022 and for making participation in the Kano State Health Contributory Scheme (KACHMA) compulsory.
Shams said members were also concerned that officers on Grade Level 17 and above had not received appropriate salary upgrades compared to those on Grade Level 16.
He stressed that the strike was not a hasty decision but the result of prolonged frustration.
“We have demonstrated goodwill, patience and resilience over the years, but the government has failed to honour its commitments. Our members can no longer endure these economic hardships and professional challenges,” he said.
The association warned that all legal officers in the state would withdraw their services indefinitely until the government addresses their demands.
The strike is expected to disrupt the administration of justice in Kano State, particularly government representation in courts and the handling of official legal matters.
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