Six Abuja Area Councils Join Ongoing FCT Strike

The six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have officially joined the ongoing strike by Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) workers, escalating challenges for FCT Minister Nyesom Wike

The decision was announced by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), FCT chapter, following an emergency meeting on Monday. The union said its members would withdraw services in line with the nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) According to the NULGE communiqué signed by Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Kabi and Comrade Sa’ad Abdulmumini, local government workers will remain on strike until their welfare concerns and outstanding demands, including unpaid entitlements and promotion arrears, are addressed

The FCTA workers had commenced their industrial action on January 19, citing unresolved welfare issues and unpaid benefits across various departments. The inclusion of Area Council staff has further disrupted public services throughout Abuja, affecting local government operations. In response, the National Industrial Court (NICN) on Monday ordered the suspension of the FCTA workers’ strike. Minister Wike had filed an originating summons seeking to compel workers to return to their duties. The case has been adjourned to March 25, 2026, allowing legal intervention while the dispute is being resolved. This development adds to ongoing labor tensions in Abuja, which have persisted over delayed implementation of the national minimum wage and other entitlements for council staff, teachers, and healthcare workers. Previous partial resolutions failed to settle all disputes, prompting renewed industrial action.