Cross River State workers protest over 11 months of unpaid salaries

Local government workers in Cross River State, Nigeria, staged a peaceful march in Calabar demanding payment of eleven months of salary arrears and inclusion on the state payroll. The demonstrators, some of whom were hired in 2025, carried placards such as “We are suffering” and “We need our salaries,” and said the delay had forced families to rely on loans and caused several deaths, including a colleague killed in a road accident during a government‑organised screening.

Protest leader Uchi Julius and worker Happiness Augustine urged Governor Bassey Otu to intervene. Secretary to the State Government Anthony Enoch said a panel of inquiry had submitted its report and that the government expected to implement the payroll solution within two weeks.