The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has instructed its affiliated unions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to press on with the ongoing strike by workers of the FCT Administration, notwithstanding a court directive ordering the suspension of the action.
The instruction was conveyed in a circular dated January 27, 2026, signed by the NLC’s Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah.
Addressed to the presidents and general secretaries of all Abuja-based unions, the circular said the Congress was restating and strengthening its earlier directive for workers to continue the industrial action until all outstanding demands are met.
“We hereby restate and reinforce our directive to all affiliate unions in the FCT to not only continue the ongoing strike but to intensify and sustain it until all workers’ demands are fully addressed,” the NLC stated.
The Congress explained that critical issues, including unpaid wage awards and promotion arrears, failure to remit pension and National Housing Fund deductions, as well as alleged harassment and intimidation of workers, remain unresolved.
“These infractions are serious, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the principles of fairness, justice, and decent work,” the NLC said.
It therefore directed affiliate unions to maintain full participation in the strike, strengthen mobilisation of members for all congress-approved activities, and ensure continuous participation in daily prayer and solidarity sessions from 8:00am to 5:00pm at designated locations across the FCT.
The NLC warned that any move to suspend the strike at this stage would only encourage further violations of workers’ rights.
“This struggle requires unity, discipline, and steadfast commitment. All affiliates are expected to comply strictly with this directive in the collective interest of the Nigerian working class. An injury to one is an injury to all,” the circular added.
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered workers on the payroll of the FCT Administration to halt the strike.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Emmanuel Subilim, held that while the matter before the court qualified as a trade dispute, the right to embark on industrial action was not absolute.
He ruled that once a dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court, any ongoing strike must be suspended pending the court’s determination.
Also on Tuesday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, warned that FCTA employees who fail to return to work in compliance with the court order would face sanctions.
“Are there no consequences for disobeying the law? Must we allow people to flagrantly break the law? I have given them a window, but from tomorrow, if they do not return to work, we will apply the big stick,” Wike said.
He added, “From tomorrow (Wednesday), anyone found attempting to block gates will be used as a scapegoat. The law must take its course.”
