KWIRS Union Issues 14-Day Strike Notice Over Salary Review, Staff Welfare

Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) Unit, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the management of the service over the alleged failure to implement its salary review proposal and address other staff welfare concerns.

In a letter dated October 15, 2026, and addressed to the Executive Chairman of KWIRS, the union warned that it would embark on a three-day warning protest after the first seven days of the ultimatum, followed by an indefinite strike from 12 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026, if its demands were not met.

The union said it submitted a comprehensive salary review and welfare proposal to management on April 2, 2026, to help workers cope with the rising cost of living. It added that, during a meeting on May 14, management promised to review the proposal and other demands but had yet to respond.

According to the letter signed by the unit's secretary, Adam M. Ibrahim, the union also wrote to management on August 10, 2026, seeking clarification on staff grade levels, welfare requests and notification of union congress activities.

The association said its members had waited long enough for improved working conditions, stressing that the cost of living had risen sharply while a service-specific salary review had yet to be implemented.

It also recalled a tripartite agreement reached on October 11, 2022, between management, stakeholders and union representatives, which provided for further negotiations on salary increases when the state's budget could accommodate them.

The union outlined the following demands:

1. Salary review: Immediate implementation of its April 2 proposal, effective from October 2026 salaries, with a 300 per cent increase in current gross salaries across all levels. It also rejected any unilateral 30 per cent increase imposed without the union's knowledge, involvement and consent.

2. Retirement benefits: Implementation of gratuity payments for all retiring staff.

3. Proper staff placement: Correct placement of employees according to grade level, nomenclature and length of service.

4. Regular promotion dates: Promotions should take effect on January 1 each year rather than on irregular dates.

5. Promotion timelines: Three years on a grade level for senior officers and four years for assistant directors and above.

6. Official vehicles: Provision of status cars for principal managers and officers above that rank.

7. Annual leave: Extension of annual leave for senior staff from the current 22 working days to 30 working days.

The association explained that a previous decision to shut down the service by August 31, 2026, was softened following the intervention of its parent body. However, it said its members' patience had been exhausted.

The union maintained that it remained committed to the growth of KWIRS but could no longer accept working conditions it considered unfair to employees responsible for generating revenue for the state.

It urged management to address its demands within the ultimatum, warning that the planned industrial action would proceed if the issues remained unresolved.

The letter was copied to relevant stakeholders, including the ASCSN Kwara State Branch, for information and further action.