By Eteteonline
Due to unresolved welfare and entitlement issues, workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) restarted their indefinite strike, which started on January 19, 2026. Poor working conditions, underpaid allowances, and arrears for promotions were among the unaddressed issues they mentioned.
As of January 30, 2026, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) striking unions have continued their industrial action despite a court decision requiring them to resume work. According to the workers, the court decision only compelled the union leaders to resume work and not the entire workers.
Noting that strike rights are legally restricted once a labor dispute is before the court, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja issued an injunction on January 27 for FCT workers to halt their strike and return to work while the matter is being decided.
Some workers publicly ignored the court judgment and continued to stay at home, stating the injunction did not legally apply to the entire workforce.
In response, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike stated that the case is still pending in court and reminded striking employees to follow court orders. He reaffirmed his willingness to engage in fair discourse, but cautioned that an illegal strike could result in disciplinary or legal repercussions.
Workers who disobeyed the court’s suspension order are now facing contempt of court procedures from the authorities, who warn that disobeying a legitimate injunction could result in incarceration.
Support for the striking FCTA workers has been given by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), which maintain that the industrial action should go on until all of their welfare requests are met.
The strike and related interruptions have hampered activity in ministries, departments, and agencies of the FCTA, leading to limited access to government services in portions of Abuja.
The National Industrial Court has postponed the substantive legal issue to March 23/25, 2026, in order to have more hearings.
The situation remains volatile, with conflicts between legal directions to restore work and union insistence on ongoing strike until talks and resolution of grievances.
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