The Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Kano State Branch, has announced plans to embark on an indefinite strike beginning midnight on Tuesday, March 11, 2026, citing unresolved grievances and unfulfilled promises by the Kano State Government.
Speaking to journalists in Kano, the Chairman of the Association, Barrister Aminu Abdullahi Shams, said the strike became inevitable after years of neglect and several unsuccessful interventions by government officials.
Shams referred to a letter addressed to the Head of Civil Service of Kano State titled “Notice of Commencement of Indefinite Strike Action,” noting that the association had made several attempts to resolve the issues through dialogue without success.
According to him, the letter referenced earlier correspondences, including one dated June 18, 2025, as well as the report of an eight-member technical committee set up by the state government to address the concerns of the legal officers.
He stated that although the state executive approved some of the committee’s recommendations, the report was never implemented.
The LOAN chairman further revealed that a joint intervention meeting convened by the Secretary to the State Government and the Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, following the association’s second notice dated January 29, 2026, also failed to yield any meaningful outcome.
“Regrettably, nothing was achieved despite the undertakings,” the letter stated, adding that even after the association suspended a planned strike in February 2026 and granted the government a 28-day grace period, none of the promised actions were implemented.
Shams explained that during a general congress held on March 9, 2026, members resolved to invoke the provisions of Sections 41 and 42 of the Trade Disputes Act, 1976, to commence an indefinite strike.
He said the decision was reached after careful consideration of the persistent economic and professional challenges faced by members.
Among the major issues listed by the association are the non-payment of fair and reasonable salaries comparable to those of their counterparts in Jigawa State, the non-payment of fringe benefit allowances since 2017, and the denial of domestic servant allowances.
The association also raised concerns over the removal of sit-in and responsibility allowances for substantive directors, as well as the non-payment of two months’ salary arrears owed to newly employed State Counsel.
Other grievances include the non-recomputation of retirement benefits for retired members whose salaries were reduced under the implementation of the N71,000 minimum wage, lack of office accommodation and basic facilities, absence of official vehicles for State Counsel, and the non-payment of N170,000 fuelling allowances reportedly enjoyed by Magistrates and Sharia Court Judges since January 2024.
LOAN also criticized the government for failing to implement automatic grade level adjustments for counsel since 2022 and for imposing the Kano State Health Contributory Scheme (KACHMA), which the association argued should be voluntary.
The association further demanded salary upgrades for members on Grade Level 17 above those on Grade Level 16, the placement of officers transferred to the Ministry of Justice at Grade Level 10, and the consolidation of salaries and allowances in line with those of Magistrates.
Shams emphasized that the strike action was not taken lightly but represents a last resort after years of patience and unfulfilled commitments by the government.
“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.
He warned that with the strike set to commence, all legal officers in the state would withdraw their services indefinitely until their demands are addressed.
The development is expected to significantly affect the administration of justice in Kano State, as the withdrawal of legal officers may disrupt legal processes and government representation in courts.
