Strike Lingers as Gwagwalada Council Remains Shut
By Momodu Favour
Activities at the Gwagwalada Area Council have been brought to a standstill as workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) embarked on an indefinite strike over the non-payment and non-implementation of the approved minimum wage.
The industrial action, which began in late January 2026, has crippled administrative operations, forced the closure of primary schools, and led to the sealing of the council secretariat.
Those affected include primary school teachers, primary healthcare workers, and other council staff.
Our reporter who visited the council secretariat on Tuesday, observed groups of protesting workers gathered at the entrance gate, which was firmly locked, preventing any official activities from taking place.
One of the protesting workers, Mr. Yalubu Obidi, said employees were owed outstanding minimum wage arrears and other entitlements.
He explained that the strike was triggered by the council authorities’ failure to fully implement the new wage structure and meet agreed welfare demands.
“As workers, we have families to take care of. We cannot continue to work without being paid our complete salaries and entitlements,” he said.
The strike in Gwagwalada forms part of a wider industrial action involving employees across the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The workers are reportedly acting in solidarity with staff of the FCT Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority, who are also demanding improved welfare packages and the payment of outstanding allowances.
The action is backed by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and JUAC, with union leaders accusing council chairmen of failing to address workers’ grievances despite several rounds of engagement.
The shutdown has disrupted essential public services in the area council, with teachers absent from classrooms and primary healthcare centres operating below capacity. Administrative functions at the secretariat remain suspended.
Workers have vowed to sustain the strike until all outstanding arrears are paid and the minimum wage is fully implemented.
The chairman-elect had yet to issue an official response to the development.
