Abuja woke up to a profound silence at government secretariats on Monday as workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) began an indefinite strike that effectively shut down public offices across the city. The industrial action, driven by longstanding welfare and labour grievances, has seen key government facilities locked and workers staying away from duty posts in protest against unresolved issues with their employers and the FCT leadership.
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Workers Say Enough is Enough
Organised under the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), workers from civil service cadres gathered to implement a strike notice that was finalised after an ultimatum expired without satisfactory response from FCTA management. Union leaders, including JUAC President Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Saleh, signed off on the directive that instructs all workers across departments, agencies, area councils and parastatals of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to withdraw their services until their welfare demands are meaningfully addressed.
Early on Monday, the usually busy Secretariat of the FCTA was deserted. Security officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Police Force were stationed at entrances to enforce the closure and ensure that workers observed the strike order. Members of the public intending to access services were turned away at the gates as operations ground to a halt.
The workers’ dissatisfaction stems from unresolved promotion matters, unpaid welfare entitlements, alleged non-remittance of statutory deductions like pension and National Housing Fund contributions, and a flawed recent promotion exercise. The union described the 2024 promotion exams as chaotic and unfair, arguing that many deserving staff were unjustly failed. These complaints have simmered for months, culminating in the dramatic walkout.
What Workers Are Demanding
Among the central issues fuelling the strike are stalled career progression, delayed or withheld promotion letters, outstanding wage awards, poor working conditions and the perceived sidelining of serving staff in favour of retired officials who remain in positions that block advancement opportunities for active workers. Union representatives also cited intimidation and lack of proper engagement from authorities as catalysts for the strike action.
In their notice to the FCTA Minister, Chief of Staff, Head of Service and the Director of Security Services, JUAC emphasised that this industrial action will persist until tangible efforts are made to resolve the grievances that have frustrated civil servants for years. They made clear that patience had run thin, with workers having repeatedly attempted to negotiate and even issued a seven-day ultimatum to no avail.
The union’s stance reflects a deep-seated frustration over a perceived lack of respect and accountability from the FCT leadership. As one union source put it, many workers have dedicated their careers to public service and yet continue to grapple with basic welfare issues that remain unresolved.
Impact and Wider Repercussions
The strike’s immediate effect is evident in the city’s administrative shutdown. With major offices closed, citizens seeking government services ranging from documentation to administrative support have been left stranded. The wider economic and social impact is yet to be fully felt, although observers warn that prolonged inactivity could disrupt essential functions and public service delivery across the FCT.
This industrial action also highlights broader labour tensions within Nigeria’s public sector, where disputes over pay, welfare, and working conditions have become recurring themes. Past strikes, such as warning actions by medical professionals over unpaid allowances and benefits, demonstrate a pattern of labour unrest that points to systemic issues within government employment frameworks.
The leadership of JUAC has urged unity and discipline among workers, stating that full compliance with the strike directive is critical for its success. Union task forces have been deployed across the FCTA and FCDA to ensure adherence to the walkout and prevent any breakdown of the protest.
So far, the FCTA management has not issued an official statement responding to the strike or outlining plans for negotiation. As workers remain home and gates stay locked, the city braces for a prolonged standoff that could define labour relations in the FCT for months to come.
This unfolding story underscores the importance of addressing workers’ welfare concerns with urgency and sincerity. For many Abuja residents, the strike is a stark reminder of how critical public sector labour relations are to the functioning of the capital’s governance and service delivery.
Sources used in crafting this article include reporting from Nigerian national news outlets and union statements published on the day of the strike.
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