By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja
Workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have refused to suspend their ongoing strike action, despite an order from the National Industrial Court directing them to return to work.
The industrial action, led by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), commenced on January 19 over unresolved welfare and entitlement issues affecting staff morale and productivity within the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
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 the aggrieved workers.
Among the key demands raised by the unions are the payment of five months’ wage awards, outstanding promotion arrears for 2023 and 2024, and the full settlement of 13 months’ hazard allowance and 22 months’ rural allowance owed to health workers.
Other issues include the remittance of pension and National Housing Fund deductions, an end to alleged intimidation of staff, as well as improved welfare packages and better working conditions across FCT institutions.
On Tuesday, the National Industrial Court in Abuja ordered the suspension of the strike pending the determination of a suit filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCTA.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Subilim, followed an application seeking an injunction to restrain the unions from continuing the industrial action.
Court documents dated January 27, 2026, show that Wike and the FCTA are listed as claimants, while JUAC leaders Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Umar Saleh are named as defendants.
Strike Persists Across Area Councils
Despite the court order, activities across several public institutions in the FCT remain paralysed.
A visit by our correspondent on Wednesday revealed that many public schools and healthcare facilities in the Bwari Area Council were still shut.
Students of Government Day Secondary School, Dutse Alhaji; Junior Secondary School, Ushafa; and LEA Primary School, Ushafa were sent home as early as 8:00 a.m.
A staff member of LEA Primary School, Ushafa, who spoke anonymously, said there was no official communication indicating that the strike had been suspended.
According to the source, the court directive appeared to apply only to union leaders, not rank-and-file workers.
“The order mentioned only the union leaders. As far as we know, there is no instruction for all workers to resume duty,” the source said.
‘Those Who Declared Strike Have Resumed’ — Wike’s Aide
Reacting to the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, insisted that those responsible for declaring the strike had already returned to work.
Olayinka explained that the Nigeria Union of Teachers did not officially declare the strike and suggested that workers yet to resume may not have received accurate information.
“The strike was not declared by the NUT. Those who declared it have resumed and were in their offices today,” he said.
“If some workers are still absent, it may be due to lack of proper information. I believe everyone should resume fully by tomorrow.”
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