Taraba Unions Call for Indefinite Strike Over Biometric System Glitches

Labour unions in Taraba State, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have announced an indefinite strike set to begin on Monday, August 11, 2025, over unresolved issues with the biometric data capture system used to verify civil servants’ identities for salary disbursement [1]. The strike action follows a resolution passed at the Joint State Administrative Council meeting on August 6, as announced in a joint statement by union leaders [1]. The unions accused the Biometric Data Capture Committee of engaging in unauthorized practices, including unauthorised deductions and irregularities in the system, which have caused delays in salary payments and affected public workers’ livelihoods [1].

Peter Jediel, Chairman of the Taraba State NLC, and Sule Abasu, TUC Chairman, stated the unions were compelled to act due to the state government’s failure to address earlier concerns raised by civil society and union representatives [1]. The strike, they argued, is a last resort to press the government into transparency and accountability. The statement from the union leadership emphasized that negotiations would only proceed if the government demonstrates a genuine commitment to resolving the biometric-related grievances and administrative failures [1].

Public reaction to the announcement has been largely supportive, with civil servants expressing frustration over months of unresolved issues with biometric verification [1]. The unions have directed all affiliated groups to begin immediate mobilization ahead of the strike, urging citizens and civil society to prepare for potential disruptions in government services and economic activities [1]. While the unions have not yet specified the duration of the strike, they have indicated willingness to engage in dialogue with the government to resolve the crisis.

The development has raised concerns about the state’s preparedness to adopt and manage technological advancements in public administration. The biometric system, part of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), was introduced to prevent payroll fraud by verifying the identities of civil servants and eliminating “ghost workers”—fictitious names on the payroll [1]. The system was first deployed in 2014 in response to the discovery of over 60,000 fraudulent names on the federal government’s payroll [1]. Since then, the system has reportedly saved over N220 billion in public funds [1]. However, the current crisis in Taraba highlights challenges in implementation and governance, particularly at the state level.

The strike is being viewed as part of a broader pattern of administrative inefficiencies in the use of digital systems across Nigerian states. While biometric verification and Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) have helped reduce fraud and improve transparency in some areas, this incident underscores the need for stronger oversight and service delivery improvements [1].

Observers note that the Taraba State government is likely to take steps to prevent the strike from proceeding, as it could bring public services to a standstill [1]. The outcome of this standoff will likely set a precedent for how similar disputes over technology and governance are handled in the future.

Source: [1] Taraba NLC and TUC to embark on strike due to glitch in biometric system for salaries (https://technext24.com/2025/08/08/taraba-nlc-tuc-strike-glitch-biometric/)