Abuja witnessed widespread disruption on Friday after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) threw its weight behind the continued complete and indefinite strike by staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), vowing to confront what it described as an “oppressive and insensitive” administration.
In a press release issued by its President, Joe Ajaero, the labour centre accused the FCTA management of sustained wage abuse, diversion of staff’ entitlements, intimidation, and violations of each constitutional provisions and worldwide labour requirements.
The NLC mentioned the economic motion, being coordinated by the Joint Unions Motion Congress (JUAC), was justified and had change into unavoidable, describing it as a brave response to what it referred to as years of mistreatment of staff inside the capital’s administration.
In keeping with the Congress, staff are being denied 5 months’ Wage Award in addition to excellent promotion arrears, describing the alleged non-payment as an unlawful withholding of salaries and a direct assault on livelihoods.
The union additionally alleged that pension contributions and Nationwide Housing Fund (NHF) deductions haven’t been remitted since Might 2025, warning that the failure to pay into pension accounts leaves staff uncovered after retirement and undermines the way forward for public servants.
The NLC described the alleged non-remittance as “{economic} sabotage,” insisting that deductions constructed from staff’ pay with out remittance quantity to systemic abuse.
Past wage points, the Congress accused the FCTA of deploying harsh measures to suppress office dissent, together with limiting telephone use at work, intimidating workers, and detaining staff for involvement in union-related actions.
Following the escalation, the NLC directed all affiliate unions working within the Federal Capital Territory to completely align with the strike, declaring that the dispute now extends past JUAC and impacts the collective rights of staff throughout Abuja.
“This battle is now the battle of each employee within the FCT,” the NLC declared.
As a part of its subsequent steps, the labour centre ordered staff to mobilise to the Nationwide Industrial Courtroom on Monday, January 26, 2026, when points surrounding the dispute are anticipated to come back up for listening to. It urged staff to end up in giant numbers, saying the court docket premises ought to replicate the presence of organised labour.
In a transfer the NLC described as each ethical and religious reinforcement, the congress additionally introduced each day prayer and solidarity periods for staff throughout the FCT from 8:00 a.m. to five:00 p.m., as the economic motion continues.
The union additional instructed FCT labour {groups} to construct alliances with civil society organisations, college students, group {groups} and different stakeholders, insisting the standoff has advanced right into a broader public battle past office calls for.
The NLC warned that its endurance had run out and vowed to maintain strain till the problems are resolved, assuring staff of full backing.