By Peter Omopo
Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have resumed work despite a directive by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) asking them to continue an ongoing industrial action.
JUAC, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Comrade Abdullahi Umar Saleh, had on Wednesday instructed FCTA staff to remain at home as part of the strike earlier declared by the union. The statement also encouraged workers to participate in daily prayers for the success of the action.
However, checks at offices of the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) on Thursday showed that workers were present and actively carrying out their official duties, effectively disregarding the union’s directive.
Some workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said their decision to resume work was in compliance with a court ruling ordering the suspension of the strike. One staff member noted that the ruling left them with little choice but to return to duty, adding that concerns over salary payments at the end of January also influenced their decision.
The directive by JUAC to continue the strike followed an interlocutory injunction granted by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The injunction was issued in response to a suit filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration, compelling workers to suspend the industrial action.
In his ruling, Justice E.D. Subilim held that while the dispute qualified as a trade dispute, the right of workers to embark on industrial action was not absolute. He ruled that once a dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court, workers are barred from embarking on or continuing a strike pending the determination of the case.
Justice Subilim granted an order restraining the union and its representatives from further industrial action, stating that the order would remain in force until the case is concluded.
Following the court ruling, the Acting Head of the FCT Civil Service, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti, issued a circular directing all Secretariats, Departments and Agencies to open and strictly enforce staff attendance registers to ensure compliance.
The circular, dated January 27, 2026, also instructed Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments, Parastatals and Agencies to ensure immediate resumption of duties, while reaffirming the administration’s commitment to the welfare of its workforce.
