Court Orders FCT Workers to Suspend Strike: What This Means for Abuja Residents
The industrial tension that has gripped Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) reached a significant legal turning point today. On January 27, 2026, the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja issued a decisive order, directing workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to immediately suspend their ongoing strike.
This ruling comes at a critical time when essential services in the nation’s capital have been paralyzed, leaving many residents and businesses in a state of uncertainty. In this post, we break down the court’s decision, the reasons behind the strike, and what the future holds for labor relations in the FCT.
The Ruling: Why the Court Intervened
The National Industrial Court, presided over by Justice E.D. Subilim, granted an interlocutory injunction filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration. The suit (NICN/ABJ/17/2026) was directed at the leadership of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), specifically its Chairman, Rifkatu Iortyer, and Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh.
In his ruling, Justice Subilim noted that while the dispute met the legal criteria of a trade dispute, the right to strike is not absolute. He emphasized that:
- Once a dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court, all industrial actions must cease.
- The strike must be suspended pending the final determination of the substantive suit.
- Workers are restrained from further picketing, road blocking, or obstructing the operations of the FCTA.
The court has adjourned the matter until March 23, 2026, for a full hearing, but the immediate effect is clear: workers are legally required to return to their duty posts.
The Core Issues: Why FCT Workers Are Striking
The “Authentic Movement” of workers in the FCT didn’t happen in a vacuum. The strike, which began in mid-January 2026, was triggered by deep-seated welfare concerns. According to union leaders, the primary grievances include:
- Unpaid Salaries: Allegations of up to five months of salary backlogs for some departments.
- Promotion Arrears: Long-outstanding financial benefits tied to past promotions that have remained unpaid.
- Poor Working Conditions: General complaints regarding the lack of working tools and a conducive environment within the FCTA and FCDA secretariats.
- Engagement Gaps: The unions have accused the FCT Minister of refusing to meet with stakeholders to discuss these welfare issues.
While the FCTA management claims that a large percentage of these demands have already been met, the unions maintain that core issues remain unresolved, leading to the “Wike must go” protests seen earlier this week.
The Legal Controversy: Is JUAC a “Legal” Body?
One of the most striking aspects of this case is the argument raised by the claimants’ counsel, James Onoja (SAN). He argued that the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) lacks “juristic personality” because it is not registered under the Trade Union Act.
This legal technicality could have long-term implications for how workers in the FCT organize. If the court eventually rules that the body calling the strike is illegal, it might change the power dynamics between the FCT Ministry and its workforce.
Impact on Abuja Residents
For the average resident of Abuja, the suspension of the strike is a major relief. The industrial action had led to:
- Shutting down of the FCTA Secretariat: Preventing citizens from accessing vital administrative services.
- Disruption of Education and Health: As various unions joined in solidarity, schools and clinics faced staffing shortages.
- Security Concerns: Large protests and the deployment of security operatives around Area 11 and Garki had created traffic and safety bottlenecks.
What’s Next for FCTA and Labor?
With the court order in place, the ball is now in the court of the labor leaders. While the court has ordered a return to work, the underlying issues of unpaid arrears and welfare still remain. For the “Renewed Hope” agenda to truly take root in the FCT, a middle ground must be found between the administrative goals of Minister Nyesom Wike and the welfare of the thousands of civil servants who keep the city running.
The next few weeks leading up to the March 23 hearing will be crucial for negotiations. Will the FCTA use this “cooling-off” period to settle the promotion arrears, or will the legal battle intensify?
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