The Law Officers Association of Nigeria, Kano State Branch has announced its decision to embark on an indefinite strike beginning midnight of Tuesday, March 11, 2026, citing unresolved grievances and unfulfilled promises by the state government.
Addressing journalists in Kano, the Chairman of the Association, Barrister Aminu Abdullahi Shams, declared that the strike action was inevitable following years of neglect and repeated failed interventions by government officials.
He referred to a letter addressed to the Head of Civil Service of Kano State titled “Notice of Commencement of Indefinite Strike Action”, the Association recalled several attempts at dialogue and intervention which yielded no tangible results.
The letter referenced earlier communications, including their letter No. LOAN/KN/16/25 dated June 18, 2025, and the subsequent report of an eight-member technical committee constituted by the government.
According to the Association, despite executive approval of some of the committee’s recommendations, “the report was never implemented.”
The Association further noted that a joint intervention meeting convened by the Secretary to the State Government and the Honourable Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice in response to their second notice dated January 29, 2026, also failed to produce any meaningful outcome.
“Regrettably, nothing was achieved yet, despite the undertakings,” the letter stated.
It added that even after suspending an earlier planned strike in February 2026, following an appeal by the government and granting a 28-day grace period, none of the promised actions were taken.
He pointed out that following a general congress held on March 9, 2026, the Association resolved to invoke the provisions of sections 41 and 42 of the Trade Disputes Act, 1976, to commence an indefinite strike.
Shams explained that the decision was reached after “careful consideration of the persistent economic hardships and professional challenges faced by our members which have continued unabated, despite repeated engagements and the Association’s demonstration of goodwill, patience, resilience and perseverance.”
The Association listed several unresolved issues fueling the strike, including the non-payment of fair and reasonable salaries and allowances comparable to those of their counterparts in Jigawa State, non-payment of fringe benefit allowances since 2017, and the denial of domestic servant allowances.
They also decried the removal of sit-in and responsibility allowances for substantive directors, as well as the non-payment of two months’ outstanding salary arrears to newly employed State Counsel.
Other grievances include the non-recomputation of retirement benefits for retired members whose basic salaries were slashed under the guise of implementing the N71,000 minimum wage, lack of office accommodation and toilet facilities, absence of official vehicles for State Counsel, and non-payment of N170,000 fuelling allowances enjoyed by Magistrates and Sharia Court Judges since January 2024.
The Association also condemned the government’s failure to implement automatic grade level adjustments for Counsel since 2022, the imposition of the Kano State Health Contributory Scheme (KACHMA) which they argue should be voluntary, and the lack of salary upgrades for members on Grade Level 17 above those on Grade Level 16.
They demanded that the entry point for officers deployed or transferred to the Ministry of Justice be fixed at Grade Level 10, and called for the consolidation of their salaries and allowances in line with what Magistrates currently enjoy.
Shams noted that the strike was not a hasty decision but a last resort after years of patience and unfulfilled promises.
“We have demonstrated goodwill, resilience, and perseverance, but the government has failed to honour its commitments.
“Our members can no longer endure these economic hardships and professional challenges,” he said.
With the strike set to commence, the Association warned that all legal officers in the state would withdraw their services indefinitely until their demands are met.
This development is expected to have significant implications for the administration of justice in Kano State, as the strike will paralyze legal processes and government representation in courts.
