The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have directed all members on the payroll of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to immediately resume work, ending plans for a protest against Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
The decision followed a late-night engagement between labour leaders, Minister Wike, and members of the Senate Committee on the FCT. The meeting, which started Monday evening, concluded in the early hours of Tuesday.
In a joint statement, the unions confirmed that all complaints from the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) were addressed during the discussions. It was also agreed that all ongoing cases related to the dispute at the National Industrial Court (NIC) would be withdrawn.
“The honourable Minister assured Organised Labour of mutual respect and sustained engagement going forward,” the statement said.
The unions emphasized that no worker would face victimisation as a result of the strike action and directed all JUAC members, as well as affiliates of the NLC and TUC working in the Ministry of the FCT (MFCT), to return to work immediately. They also urged strict compliance with the directive in the interest of industrial peace.
The statement was signed by Nuru Toro, TUC Secretary-General, and Benson Upah, Acting NLC General Secretary.
Earlier, on Monday, a National Industrial Court in Abuja had restrained NLC and TUC from proceeding with the protest scheduled for February 3. The order followed an ex parte application filed by Minister Wike and the FCTA.
The dispute began on January 19 when FCTA workers launched an indefinite strike over long-standing labour and welfare concerns. The strike had paralyzed activities across secretariats, departments, and agencies, prompting the minister to seek court intervention.
On January 27, the NIC ordered workers to suspend the strike, noting that industrial action cannot continue once a dispute has been referred to the court.
Despite the NIC ruling, the NLC initially instructed members to continue the strike, but the recent engagement has now resolved the immediate impasse.
