Join our WhatsApp channel HERE for the latest Benue news and updates!
Staff at Radio Benue, the state-owned broadcasting station in Makurdi, have staged a heavy protest, blocking the gate to the premises in a demonstration against the non-implementation of the minimum wage and the failure to pay other allowances owed to employees.
The action, captured in a viral video circulating on social media, shows a group of protesters gathered outside the station’s entrance, voicing their grievances amid growing frustration over labor conditions. The protest highlights ongoing issues in Benue State’s public sector, where workers have repeatedly called for the enforcement of the N75,000 minimum wage approved by Governor Hyacinth Alia in late 2024.
According to eyewitness accounts shared online, the demonstrators, including members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU), expressed dissatisfaction with the state government’s handling of salary adjustments and outstanding payments. Similar protests have occurred in other sectors, such as the judiciary, where staff shut down courts in December 2024 over the same wage implementation delays.
The video, posted by user Òr Turan and reposted by Beatrice Amua on Facebook, has garnered attention with hashtags like #fypシ, #reelsviralシ, #fypシviralシ, and #ViralReelsChallenge, amplifying calls for resolution. Protesters argue that the delays not only violate labor agreements but also exacerbate economic hardships faced by families in the state.
As of now, there has been no official response from the Benue State Government or Radio Benue management regarding the protest. The incident adds to broader labor tensions in Benue, where previous demonstrations by local government workers and pensioners have spotlighted unpaid arrears and inadequate remuneration.
Observers note that while Governor Alia has emphasized support for workers, including clearing some pension backlogs, implementation gaps continue to fuel discontent. The protest underscores the need for swift dialogue between the government and unions to prevent escalation and ensure fair compensation for public servants.
