FAVOUR ISHEMBER, Abuja
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its affiliate unions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to continue their strike despite a National Industrial Court ruling ordering workers to resume duties.
In a January 27, 2026, circular, NLC Acting General Secretary Comrade Benson Upah cited unresolved issues, including unpaid wage awards, promotion arrears, and non-remittance of pension and National Housing Fund deductions.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had earlier warned that workers who fail to resume duties will face disciplinary action, stating that some demands are “frivolous” and beyond what the administration can implement immediately.
In recent development, the NLC has urged workers to remain resolute, warning that retreating now would “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 case is actually different 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.
Daily The Champion observed that the strike continues, with some schools and government offices affected.
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.
In his words:, “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, also 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.
However, JUAC Chairman Rifkatu Iortyer had urged workers to respect the court order and consult with NLC and TUC, but the strike persisted, disregarding the legal directive.
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