Ogun Workers Indefinite Strike Disrupts Learners Promotion Exams As Public Primary, Secondary Schools Shutdown

 

The indefinite strike by workers in the Ogun State civil and public service has taken its toll on the conduct of the ongoing 2024/2025 promotion examination for learners in public primary and secondary schools in the state 

Edu-biznews observed that some 

of the schools visited in Abeokuta, the State capital on Wednesday to monitor the level of compliance on day-one of the industrial action, were shutdown and completely deserted by both teachers and learners during learning hours

The schools visited included Asero High School and Egba Comprehensive High School both in Asero, Nawar-ud-Deen Primary School, Nawar-ud-Deen High School and Reverend Kuti Memorial Grammar School all in Ijeun area of the city and Saint John's Primary School in Kuto area of Abeokuta 

State Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Akeem Lasisi says the 

trade dispute is to draw the government's attention to the plight of workers.

Lasisi who declare the indefinite strike alongside his counter part from Nigeria Labour Congress and Joint Negotiating Council explained that the intention behind the strike action called by the organized labour was not to cripple or paralyse the economy and stability of the state, but rather to inform the government about the challenges faced by various categories of workers, including the Active, Retired, Withdrawn, and Deceased."

"Retirement should be a time for workers to feel happy and comfortable, allowing them to enjoy the fruits of their labour. Workers have significantly contributed to the unprecedented peace, sustainable development, and economic growth of the state", he stated 

"Currently, the Contributory Pension Scheme does not offer any comfort to workers post-retirement. It has failed from its inception, with over 14 years of funds deducted from salaries but not remitted into individual Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) with chosen Pension Fund Administrators (PFA). The Pension Law has been grossly violated, resulting in the scheme failing to achieve its objectives" he lamented 

According to the Ogun State Pension Reform Law (OGPRL), 2006, Section 14, subsection 5, employers must remit the funds deducted from employees' salaries within seven (7) working days after salaries are paid. 

Failure to do so incurs a penalty of not less than 2% of the total arrears of unpaid contributions, as stated in OGPRL Section 14, subsection 7.

"As of July 1, 2025 (the date the scheme was set to commence), workers were anxious, agitated, restless, and frustrated due to the government's silence on this issue"

"Our leadership faces overwhelming criticism, questioning, and attacks regarding the way forward. We are accused of colluding with the government to undermine workers’ lives after retirement".

"Today, workers, who entrusted us with the responsibility to constitutionally protect their interests, see our leadership as the enemy, believing that we seek to diminish their expectations after retirement.", he added 

The demands of workers are stated below 

1. The government should implement the recommendations made by various committees in the past regarding the CPS, which have been submitted to the government. Notable committees include the 2017 Agbaje-led committee set up as a result of the intervention of the National Leadership of Organised Labour and the 2022 Hassan Adekunle and Olufunmilayo Dada-led committees, which were set up following a Memorandum of Action signed with labour unions.

2. In accordance with the amended Ogun State Pension Reform Law of 2013, the government should immediately resume full remittance of monthly pension contributions for all employees into individual RSAs.

3. The non-remittance of funds for over 14 years into an individual's RSA should also be given due attention.

4. The unresolved issues regarding the Personal Identification Number (PIN), including shared and duplicate PINs that hinder access to RSAs, must be addressed.

5. The amended Ogun State Pension Reform Law (OGSPRL) of 2006 mandates that the valuation of past services, known as Accrued Pension Rights, must be considered (Section 8, subsection 4). These accrued pension rights pertain to employees who worked under the Transitional Pension Scheme (TPS) before the CPS deductions commenced. As of December 2007, the actuarial valuation of retirement benefits for all Ogun Public Servants (totalling 50,798) was estimated at ₦80 billion.

6. The State Redemption Fund, which is used to redeem accrued pension rights (past services) managed by the investment, should be given due consideration as outlined in Section 14, subsection 1 of the State Pension Reform Law of 2006. 

According to Section 17, subsection 1, the employer must set aside an amount equal to 5% of the monthly wage bill. However, Section 17, subsection 2 of the same Reform Law, amended in 2013, stipulated a reduction to 2.5%.

7. The group life insurance policy established within the scheme should be initiated to prevent the double loss of benefits and life for beneficiaries. This policy should provide coverage equivalent to a minimum of three times the total annual emoluments of the employees, in accordance with Section 12, subsection 2 of the amended Ogun State Pension Reform Law of 2006. This coverage is designed to protect all employees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Other grievances leading to the declaration of the trade dispute include:

i) Consequential adjustments to the minimum pension, which prompted the establishment of the Olufunmilayo Dada-led committee.  

ii) Consequential adjustments on the minimum wage, as Ogun State has the lowest basic salary in the Southwest.  

iii) Immediate financial benefits for public servants who are eligible for promotion in 2023 and 2024, as promotions serve as a motivation to enhance productivity.  

iv) Payment of eight years of leave allowance to deserving officers. Leave allowance is not a bonus but a provision of law. Many beneficiaries are now retired, deceased, or have left public service.