FCTA employees return to work despite ongoing NLC, JUAC strikes

Despite the ongoing indefinite strike and the scheduled protest organized by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and some of its affiliates, a number of workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have returned to their duties.

The NLC, FCT Chapter, had called on all union members to participate in a mass protest on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, urging them to wear their union attire for the demonstration.

Meanwhile, a visit to some offices in the FCT Central Administration, including the Minister’s Block, Treasury Department, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), and others, showed that workers were at their duty posts carrying out their assignments.

Some workers, who preferred to speak off the record, said they opted to resume work in obedience to a court ruling while dialogue between the administration and the union continued.

Recall that the FCTA workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) had embarked on industrial action on January 9, to press home their demands over unpaid allowances and other issues.

The administration had approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, challenging the legality of the industrial action embarked upon by the workers.

The Industrial Court in Abuja last week Tuesday ordered the workers to suspend their strike, pending further hearing in a suit filed by the FCT Minister.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim granted the order in a ruling on an application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCTA.

Subsequently, in a move to restore administrative order across the FCTA, the Acting Head of Service of the FCT, Nancy Sabanti Nathan, directed all permanent secretaries and heads of departments to ensure compliance with the court order by maintaining staff attendance registers.

The circular, dated January 27, 2026, instructed Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments, Parastatals, and Agencies to enforce immediate resumption of duties by workers, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to staff welfare.