By Sarah NEGEDU
Despite the Tuesday ruling by the National Industrial Court ordering FCTA workers to suspend their strike, the Nigerian Labour Congress has reinforced its directive for all affiliate unions in the FCT to continue with the industrial action until workers’ demands are fully addressed.
In a circular dated January 27, 2026, the NLC directed unions to maintain participation in the strike, intensify mobilisation, and join daily prayer and solidarity sessions across the territory.
The circular issued by the Acting General Secretary of the congress, Comrade Benson Upah, highlighted unresolved issues including unpaid wage awards and promotion arrears, non-remittance of pension and National Housing Fund deductions, and what the labour body described as “continued intimidation of workers.”
NLC urged affiliate unions to comply strictly in the collective interest of the Nigerian working class, warning that, “Any retreat at this stage will only embolden further violations against workers.”
However, despite the NLC directives, some offices within the FCTA Secretariat resumed operations today, For instance, most staff of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems, AGIS, were reported to have been in the office early on Wednesday morning.
Also at the main FCTA Secretariat, the gate was left widely open to staff and visitors, and many cars were seen parked within the premises, an indication that staff had resumed duties.
The reverse was however the case across the six area council offices in the FCT. Our correspondents across the councils observed that council offices have remained closed, with staff yet to return to work.
The FCT State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, confirmed that the six area councils still remain under lock and key, awaiting further directives.
A parent whose children attend Government Secondary School, Orozo, told this reporter that he was asked to take his children back home as the school was still on strike.
He said, “I took my children to their school, but was sent back by the school authorities who say they are following NLC/NUT directives to continue with the strike until their demands are met.”
The court ruling on Tuesday, issued by Honourable Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court, had ordered the suspension of the strike and directed all staff to resume duties immediately.
Following the ruling, the Acting Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti, issued a circular instructing all staff to report to their respective duty posts and maintain attendance registers, while assuring that management remained committed to staff welfare.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, reaffirmed the administration’s readiness to engage in dialogue with the striking workers, stressing that while legitimate demands had been addressed, some requests went beyond what the administration could implement immediately.
Speaking to journalists, shortly after the court ruling Wike said, “The issue of the strike is not new. I believe the administration has reasonably met the demands of the workers. However, we must be honest and admit that some of the demands are frivolous and go beyond what workers are legitimately entitled to.”
He further warned that any worker who fails to resume duties following the court’s order would face disciplinary action pointing that, “Disobeying the law has consequences. From tomorrow, any worker who refuses to resume work will face disciplinary action. Anyone who blocks government facilities will face the full weight of the law,” Wike declared.
Though the JUAC Chairman, Rifkatu Iortyer, had appealed for calm and law-abiding conduct, urging workers to respect the court order while consulting with NLC and TUC, the strike continued in defiance of the legal directive.
