Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have resumed an indefinite strike in Abuja, defying a recent court order directing them to suspend industrial action, after union leaders filed an appeal in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
The renewal of the strike on Thursday, January 29, 2026, comes amid lingering disagreements over unresolved welfare issues and legal interpretations of the court’s decision.
Only a handful of staff were seen at FCTA offices and agencies, as the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) upheld its directive for members to remain at home. JUAC’s move follows its appeal against the January 27 court ruling that suspended the strike and adjourned the case until March 23, 2026.
Lead counsel for the union, Femi Falana, SAN, filed the appeal challenging the interlocutory ruling.
The indefinite strike began on January 19, 2026, with workers mobilising over a range of welfare concerns, including alleged non-remittance of allowances and unresolved service conditions.
The strike had severely disrupted operations across the nation’s capital, prompting the FCTA government to seek legal intervention.
On January 27, the National Industrial Court, presided over by Justice E. D. Subilim, ordered striking staff to call off the action and resume duties.
The court held that once a dispute is before it, continued industrial action must be suspended pending judicial determination. The matter was adjourned to March 23 for further hearing.
JUAC Secretary Abdullahi Saleh, in a circular to members, insisted that workers must sustain the strike, framing it as a collective struggle requiring “unity, discipline, and unwavering commitment.”
The union also highlighted support from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), which jointly called on workers to “defend their rights courageously” until management engages them substantively.
The unions have argued that the court’s interlocutory order applies specifically to named officials rather than to all union bodies, and thus does not automatically terminate the broader industrial action initiated on behalf of FCTA staff.
Reacting to the strike’s resumption, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike emphasised that filing an appeal does not automatically stay execution of the court order. Speaking while handing over ambulances to health facilities in the territory, Wike described continued industrial action as unnecessary and warned that mixing political motives with labour grievances could attract consequences.
He noted that most demands had been addressed and reiterated that the administration remains open to dialogue.
Wike reiterated, “the mere filing of a notice of appeal does not constitute a stay of execution,” signalling the government’s intention to uphold the court’s directive and enforce compliance with legal processes.
The resurgence of industrial action in Abuja has further implications for public services and administrative continuity in the Federal Capital Territory.
Prolonged strikes in key government offices can hinder service delivery, affect revenue streams and impact public confidence in administrative operations. For residents and businesses in Nigeria’s capital, the dispute underscores persistent challenges in labour relations and public sector management.
With the legal battle set to continue when the National Industrial Court reconvenes in March, both union leaders and FCTA management face mounting pressure to find common ground.
The government’s insistence on legal compliance and the union’s commitment to sustained action reflect deep-seated tensions in labour negotiations that could shape future policies and dispute resolution mechanisms in urban public administration.
