NLC directs unions to continue FCTA strike despite court order

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its affiliateunions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to continue the ongoing strike byworkers of the FCT Administration, despite a court order directing that theindustrial action be suspended. The directive was contained in a circular dated January 27,2026, and signed by Benson Upah, the acting general secretary of the NLC. In the circular addressed to presidents and generalsecretaries of all Abuja-based unions, the NLC said it was “reaffirming andreinforcing” its earlier instructions for workers to sustain the strike actionuntil their demands are fully met. “We hereby reaffirm and reinforce the directive to allaffiliate unions in the FCT to not only proceed with the ongoing action but tointensify and sustain it until all workers’ demands are fully addressed,” thecircular reads. The NLC noted that issues such as unpaid wage awards andpromotion arrears, non-remittance of pension and National Housing Funddeductions, as well as alleged intimidation of workers, are yet to be resolved. “These violations are grave, unacceptable, and incompatiblewith the principles of fairness, justice, and decent work,” the NLC said. “Affiliate unions are therefore directed to fully maintainparticipation in the industrial action; reinforce mobilisation of members forall congress-approved activities; and mobilise members to continuouslyparticipate in daily prayer and solidarity sessions from 8:00am to 5:00pm atdesignated venues across the FCT.” The NLC warned against any withdrawal from the strike atthis stage, saying such action would embolden further violations againstworkers. “This struggle demands unity, discipline, and unwaveringcommitment. All affiliates are expected to comply strictly with this directivein the collective interest of the Nigerian working class. An injury to one isan injury to all,” the circular reads. On Tuesday, a national industrial court in Abuja orderedworkers on the payroll of the FCTA to suspend the strike. Delivering a ruling, Emmanuel Subilim, presiding judge, heldthat although the matter before the court amounted to a trade dispute, thedefendants’ right to embark on industrial action was not absolute. He held that once a dispute has been referred to thenational industrial court, any ongoing strike must cease pending thedetermination of the case. On Tuesday, Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal CapitalTerritory (FCT), said any striking FCTA employee that fails to resume workfollowing the court order will face consequences. “Are there no consequences for disobeying the law? Must weallow people break the law flagrantly? I have given them a window but fromtomorrow, if they don’t come to work, we will apply the big stick,” Wike said. “From tomorrow (Wednesday), if we see anybody who wants toblock the gate, they will be made a scapegoat. The law must take its place.”

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