It described the situation as unacceptable, stating that the violations “remain unresolved” and are “grave, unacceptable, and incompatible with the principles of fairness, justice, and decent work.”
The leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has directed all Abuja-based affiliate unions to reinforce, intensify and sustain the ongoing industrial action by workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) until their demands are fully met.
The directive was contained in a circular issued to Presidents and General Secretaries of all Abuja-based unions, where the NLC said it was compelled to act based on the continued neglect of workers’ welfare and persistent intimidation of staff by authorities.
According to the circular, the NLC leadership said, “following our earlier circulars on the ongoing struggle of workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), 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 Congress identified “unpaid Wage Awards and promotion arrears, non-remittance of pension and National Housing Fund deductions, and the continued intimidation of workers” as the major unresolved issues fueling the strike.
It described the situation as unacceptable, stating that the violations “remain unresolved” and are “grave, unacceptable, and incompatible with the principles of fairness, justice, and decent work.”
The NLC further directed affiliate unions to “fully maintain participation in the industrial action,” “reinforce mobilisation of members for all congress-approved activities,” and “mobilise members to continuously participate in daily Prayer and Solidarity Sessions from 8:00am to 5:00pm at designated venues across the FCT.”
Emphasising the seriousness of the struggle, the labour centre warned that “this struggle demands unity, discipline, and unwavering commitment,” adding that “any retreat at this stage will only embolden further violations against workers.”
“All affiliates are expected to comply strictly with this directive in the collective interest of the Nigerian working class,” the circular stated.
The NLC concluded with a solidarity message: “An injury to one is an injury to all. Solidarity forever.”
The circular was signed by Comrade Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary, and Joseph Ajaero, President.
Meanwhile, unions operating within the FCTA and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) have also rejected claims that a ruling of the National Industrial Court has effectively halted the ongoing strike.
In a joint communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of executive officers of 16 unions in FCTA/FCDA held on January 27, 2026, the unions reacted to the court ruling delivered at Gimbia Street, Area 11, Abuja, which reportedly compelled Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Umar to suspend the industrial action.
The unions said that after they had “taken a cursory look, considered and reviewed all issues raised, the need for consented and continuous action became obvious.”
They clarified that “the ruling from the Industrial Court applies only to the aforementioned names, which is; Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Umar.”
The unions maintained that “the strike action as declared by the various Unions subsist pending when the demands of workers are met by the authority of the FCTA and the Honorable Minister FCT.”
They also called on workers not to be discouraged, stating that “by this communique, we urge the teaming FCTA/FCDA workers who have demonstrated capacity in the face of this struggle to remain resolute until further directives from the union.”
The communiqué ended with a series of solidarity slogans: “A people united, can never be defeated. Workers united, can never be defeated. Solidarity forever. Aluta Continua. Victoria Ascerta.”