This is at a time government offices in Abuja and across the FCT were shut down following an indefinite strike by workers.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has travelled to the United Kingdom with members of his family and political associates to attend his son’s graduation at King’s College London.
This is at a time government offices in Abuja and across the FCT were shut down following an indefinite strike by workers.
On Monday, offices under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) were deserted after workers withdrew their services in compliance with an indefinite strike declared by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC).
The unions accused the FCTA of failing to address several long-standing grievances, including the non-payment of wage awards and outstanding promotion arrears, delayed promotions, and what they described as the illegal retention of retired directors and permanent secretaries beyond their statutory years of service.
The unions also cited the alleged failure of the administration to remit pension contributions and National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions, worsening working conditions, and reported intimidation of staff as reasons for the industrial action.
Despite the shutdown of government activities in the nation’s capital, the FCT Minister was in the United Kingdom for a personal engagement.
On Thursday, Wike announced on his official Facebook page that he attended his son’s graduation ceremony in London.
“Grateful to God for giving me, my wife and children the opportunity to be available to share with my son, Joaquin, his moment of joy as he earned MSc Degree in Management and Technology Change at King's College London, today,” Wike wrote.
He also acknowledged the presence of his political allies and friends who joined his family to celebrate the occasion.
“I thank my friends, Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and PDP National Vice Chairman (South South), Chief Dan Orbih for finding time to celebrate with my family,” he added.
Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, also confirmed the development, stating that the FCT Minister’s son, Joaquin Wike, successfully completed an MSc Degree in Management and Technology Change at King’s College London.
Those present at the graduation ceremony included the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Dan Orbih; Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri; Jordan Wike; the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Wike; and their daughter, Jazmyne.
The minister’s overseas trip came amid heightened tension in the FCT, as workers maintained their strike action to press home their demands.
The Joint Union Action Committee has insisted that the strike will continue until all outstanding issues are resolved, while residents of the FCT continue to experience disruptions in public services due to the industrial action.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that Wike has taken the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC), comprising all trade unions and categories of employees within the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja Judicial Division.
The minister cited the ongoing strike and alleged acts of picketing, obstruction and shutdown of government activities in the nation’s capital.
The suit, filed at the National Industrial Court and marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, is before Honourable Justice E. D. Subilim.
The claimants in the matter are the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), while the defendants are listed as Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Umar Saleh, sued on behalf of the Joint Unions Action Committee.
According to court documents sighted by SaharaReporters, the Minister and the FCTA are seeking orders of the court to restrain the unions and their agents from engaging in picketing, lockouts or any form of action targeted at the claimants, heads of departments and political appointees.
The claimants also accused the unions of attempting to cripple the activities of the FCTA by blocking and obstructing the free flow of vehicular movement, shutting down offices and frustrating the administration of the FCT “by any means whatsoever.”
The originating processes allege that the actions of the unions, if not checked, could lead to a total breakdown of administrative and economic activities within the Federal Capital Territory, thereby negatively affecting residents and the general public.
At the hearing of the application, counsel to the claimants appeared before the court, while the defendants were absent.
The legal team representing the Minister and the FCTA included Dr. Ogwu J. Onoja, SAN, M.A. Ebute, SAN, George Ibrahim, SAN, K.O. Mustapha, Esq., and Esther Audu, Esq.
After listening to submissions from counsel to the applicants and carefully examining the reliefs sought, the supporting affidavit and the written address, the presiding judge ruled that the applicants had established a case warranting the granting of the prayers before the court.
In a ruling delivered on January 21, 2026, Justice E. D. Subilim granted leave to the claimants to serve the originating processes and all subsequent court processes on the defendants by substituted means.
The court specifically ordered that service should be effected by advertising or publishing the processes in Leadership Newspaper or any other national daily newspaper circulating in Nigeria, as well as by pasting the processes at the premises of the Joint Unions Action Committee located at the FCTA Secretariat, No. 1 Kapital Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
Justice Subilim further ordered that the substituted service shall be deemed good and proper service on the defendants.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to January 26, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.