FCTA WORKERS COMMENCE INDEFINITE STRIKE, SHUTTING DOWN GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES IN ABUJA.

BY SANDRA KENNETH

The Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority workers have commenced an indefinite strike, shutting down government activities across Abuja.

The industrial action resulted in the closure of government offices, including the FCTA Secretariat, where heavy security presence was observed early in the day.

At about 8:10 a.m. yesterday, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Police Force were stationed at the entrance of the secretariat, preventing workers from gaining access to the premises. 

A security personnel, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Staff of FCDA and FCTA are not allowed into the office premises because of the strike.” 

The strike disrupted activities across all FCTA secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils and parastatals within the Federal Capital Territory.

The action followed an earlier notice issued by the workers on Friday, announcing plans to shut down government offices across the FCT and its area councils.

The decision was taken by the Joint Union Action Congress, which directed workers in all cadres to withdraw their services over what it described as the failure of the authorities to address long-standing labour and welfare issues.

It was gathered that the strike followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCTA management, which the unions said was ignored despite several meetings held during the period.

The ultimatum, which took effect from January 7, 2026, was contained in a statement dated January 8 and signed by the JUAC President, Rifkatu Iortyer, and the Secretary, Abdullahi Saleh. Copies were also sent to the Minister of State for the FCT, the Chief of Staff, the Head of Service and the Director of Security Services. 

Speaking to journalists at the FCT Secretariat on Monday, the Vice President of JUAC, Musa Istifanus, said the industrial action was taken after repeated attempts to engage the FCTA management and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, failed.

“He has refused to meet with the union. The union is a stakeholder in every organisation. The minister has refused to talk to us,” Istifanus said.

He said workers were grappling with several welfare-related challenges, including unresolved promotion matters. 

Istifanus criticized the 2024 promotion exercise conducted by the FCT Civil Service Commission, describing it as deeply flawed.

The JUAC vice president also accused the administration of failing to fully implement an approved wage award and of defaulting on pension remittances.

However, in a statement issued on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, said 10 out of the 14 demands presented by the workers had been met, while the remaining four were being addressed. 

Olayinka said efforts by the FCTA to resolve the issues had been extensive and ongoing.

The FCTA also said some workers, including those under unions such as the Law Officers Association of Nigeria, had distanced themselves from the strike action.