NLC threatens to shut down Abuja over unresolved workers’ issues

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning that it may shut down Abuja after July 3, 2025, if the FCT Administration (FCTA) fails to resolve ongoing labour-related grievances affecting workers in the area councils.

In a statement released on Thursday, the union revealed that its planned mass protest—currently on hold—was meant to pressure the authorities into addressing long-standing welfare issues that have led to recurrent strikes across all six FCT area councils.

According to the NLC, the decision to delay action was taken out of respect for President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing series of project inaugurations in the capital, which are scheduled to conclude on July 3.

“We had to extend the ultimatum because of Tinubu’s movements to inaugurate the FCT-executed project,” said Knabayi. “Members of the union will take over the streets of Abuja as soon as Tinubu concludes the inauguration.”

Public services have already been disrupted by the impasse, with primary healthcare centres, government schools, and local council offices largely non-operational.

The industrial action involves several unions, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and the National Association of Health Workers. They are jointly pressing for the payment of outstanding minimum wage arrears, the implementation of a 40 percent peculiar allowance, and the activation of previously agreed salary increments of 25 and 35 percent.

Additionally, the unions are urging the enforcement of a N35,000 wage award previously promised by the Federal Government.

An initial seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCTA on June 13 lapsed on June 20 without any resolution. This, according to union leaders, has led to plans for mass mobilisation. They criticised the chairpersons of the area councils for what they described as a lack of serious engagement, despite repeated interventions.

The NLC also took issue with the abrupt suspension of the N70,000 minimum wage scheme, which was launched in May but halted the following month without any official explanation.

The union confirmed that both the FCT Administration and security agencies have been formally alerted about the upcoming protest, which they described as a final effort to prevent further collapse of critical services.