By Labour unions have directed their members and affiliates under the payroll of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to resume work with immediate effect.
The directive was contained in a joint circular issued on Tuesday by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) following a marathon conciliatory meeting between the unions and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
“Consequently, all JUAC members and all affiliates of the TUC and NLC working in the Ministry of the FCT (MFCT) are hereby directed to resume work immediately,” the circular, signed by the TUC Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, and the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, stated.
“All affiliates are enjoined to comply strictly with this directive in the interest of industrial peace and harmony, in good faith,” it added.
According to the unions, the breakthrough was achieved through the intervention of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi. They said the meeting addressed the grievances that had halted activities at the FCTA Secretariat since January 19.
The unions noted that all complaints raised by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) were resolved “to the satisfaction of all parties involved,” with the FCT Minister assuring organised labour of mutual respect and sustained engagement to foster a harmonious working relationship.
Among the resolutions reached was an agreement that no worker would be victimised for participating in the industrial action. The parties also agreed that all pending cases at the National Industrial Court (NIC) arising from the dispute would be withdrawn immediately.
Workers under the JUAC had embarked on the strike over issues including the non-remittance of statutory deductions such as pensions and the National Housing Fund, delays in the payment of promotion arrears, and concerns over the conduct of promotion exercises.
The industrial action led to the shutdown of several departments and agencies of the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), prompting the FCT Minister to approach the National Industrial Court.
On January 27, the NIC ordered the workers to suspend the strike, ruling that while the matter constituted a trade dispute, the right to embark on industrial action was not absolute once the matter was before the court.
The court held that the strike must be suspended pending the determination of the case. Following the ruling, the FCTA directed workers to resume duty, but the NLC initially advised its members to continue the industrial action.
On Monday, the NIC issued an interim order restraining the NLC, TUC, and three others from staging a protest scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Justice Emmanuel Sublim granted the order while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the FCT Minister and the FCTA, restraining the respondents and their agents from embarking on any strike or protest pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
The judge also directed security agencies listed as defendants to ensure the maintenance of law and order.
The ex parte motion, filed by counsel to the FCTA, Ogwu Onoja, claimed that the Chairman of the FCT Council had circulated a mobilisation message to union members and affiliates for the planned protest.
Prior to the court order, the FCTA and police authorities had also appealed to the workers to shelve the protest.
