FCT workers defy court order, sustain strike over unpaid entitlements

 

Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), currently on strike under the aegis of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), have continued their industrial action despite a court order directing them to suspend the strike.

The workers commenced an indefinite strike on January 19, 2026, to protest unresolved welfare issues which they said were negatively affecting their morale and productivity.

The strike later gained momentum as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) joined in solidarity with FCTA and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) staff.

Among the workers’ demands are the payment of five months’ wage awards, outstanding promotion arrears for 2023 and 2024, full payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance and 22 months’ rural allowance for health workers. They are also demanding remittance of pension and National Housing Fund deductions, an end to intimidation of workers, and improved welfare and working conditions.

On Tuesday, the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja ordered the striking workers to suspend the industrial action pending further hearing in a suit instituted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, and the FCTA.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim granted the order while ruling on an application seeking an injunction to restrain the unions from continuing the strike.

Court documents dated January 27, 2026, and signed by the Registrar, listed Mr. Wike and the FCTA as claimants, while union leaders Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Umar Saleh were named as defendants.

Despite the court order, checks on Wednesday revealed that the strike was still in force in several parts of the FCT.

Most healthcare facilities and public schools across Bwari Area Council remained closed, with students at Government Day Secondary School, Dutse Alhaji; Junior Secondary School, Ushafa; and LEA Primary School, Ushafa, sent home as early as 8 a.m.

An official of LEA Primary School, Ushafa, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there was no official communication indicating that the strike had been called off.

“The court order was directed at the union leaders, not the entire workforce. As far as we know, there is no instruction for workers to resume,” the source said.

However, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media to the FCT Minister, Mr. Lere Olayinka, insisted that those who initiated the strike had already complied with the court order.

Olayinka said union leaders had resumed work and that any worker still absent might not have been properly informed.

“The strike was not declared by NUT. Those who declared the strike have resumed duty. If some workers are still not at work, it may be due to lack of proper information. By tomorrow, everyone should be back,” he said.

As of press time, normal activities were yet to resume in many public institutions across the affected area councils.