Kwara govt approves outstanding allowances after state counsels’ strike

…approves 2016–2020 and 2024 furniture allowances, 2024–2026 robe allowances

The Kwara State Government has approved the payment of outstanding Furniture and Robe Allowances owed to State Counsels, days after law officers commenced an indefinite strike over unpaid entitlements.

The approval covers the outstanding balance of the 2016–2020 Furniture Allowance, the 2024 Furniture Allowance, as well as Robe Allowances for 2024, 2025 and 2026.

The Acting Head of Service, Dr. Olufunke Mercy Shittu, disclosed this in a memo following a review of demands presented by the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), Kwara State Chapter.

The development comes after members of LOAN commenced an indefinite strike on July 27, 2026, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the state government over outstanding welfare issues.

The lawyers had accused the government of failing to pay outstanding furniture and robe allowances, as well as implement the harmonisation of salaries, allowances and conditions of service for State Counsels with those of magistrates despite earlier approvals.

Announcing the strike, the association directed its members to withdraw their services from the Ministry of Justice until the government responded to its demands.

Shittu said the latest approvals were part of the state government’s efforts to address legitimate outstanding entitlements and improve workers’ welfare.

She added that the Commissioner for Finance had been directed to implement the approved payments.

The Acting Head of Service said the approvals underscored the administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers in the state.

LOAN had said its members play key roles in the justice system, including prosecuting criminal cases, providing legal advice to ministries and government agencies, drafting legislation and pursuing public revenue recovery through tax-related prosecutions.

The association had also said previous engagements with the state government, including discussions with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Office of the Head of Service, had failed to resolve the issues.

The latest approval addresses some of the outstanding allowances listed by the association among the issues that triggered the industrial action.