NLC Orders FCT Workers To Sustain Strike Despite Court Order

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its affiliate unions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to continue the ongoing strike by workers of the FCT Administration, in defiance of a court order mandating the suspension of the industrial action.

The directive was issued in a circular dated January 27, 2026, and signed by Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the NLC. It was addressed to presidents and general secretaries of all Abuja-based affiliate unions.

In the circular, the NLC said it was “reaffirming and reinforcing” its earlier instructions, urging workers to not only sustain but intensify the strike until all outstanding demands are fully addressed.

“We hereby reaffirm and reinforce the directive to all affiliate unions in the FCT to not only proceed with the ongoing action but to intensify and sustain it until all workers’ demands are fully addressed,” the circular stated.

The labour centre listed unresolved issues fueling the strike, including unpaid wage awards and promotion arrears, non-remittance of pension and National Housing Fund deductions, as well as alleged intimidation of workers.

“These violations are grave, unacceptable, and incompatible with the principles of fairness, justice, and decent work,” the NLC said.

The Congress also directed affiliate unions to maintain full participation in the strike, strengthen mobilisation efforts and ensure members take part in daily prayer and solidarity sessions from 8:00am to 5:00pm at designated locations across the FCT.

Warning against any withdrawal from the action, the NLC said backing down at this stage would encourage further violations of workers’ rights.

“This struggle demands unity, discipline, and unwavering commitment. An injury to one is an injury to all,” the circular added.

The directive comes despite a ruling on Tuesday by the National Industrial Court in Abuja ordering workers on the payroll of the FCT Administration to suspend the strike. Delivering the ruling, the presiding judge, Emmanuel Subilim, held that while the matter constituted a trade dispute, the right to embark on industrial action was not absolute.

He ruled that once a dispute has been referred to the National Industrial Court, any ongoing strike must cease pending the court’s determination.

Also on Tuesday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, warned that striking FCTA employees who fail to resume work in compliance with the court order would face consequences.

“Are there no consequences for disobeying the law? Must we allow people to break the law flagrantly?” Wike said. “I have given them a window, but from tomorrow (Wednesday), if they don’t come to work, we will apply the big stick.”

He further warned that anyone attempting to block access to government facilities would be dealt with decisively. “From tomorrow, if we see anybody who wants to block the gate, they will be made a scapegoat. The law must take its place,” he said.

The standoff sets the stage for a tense confrontation between organised labour and the FCT Administration as both sides hold firm to their positions.

Melissa Enoch