The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja Division, has ordered workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to immediately suspend their ongoing strike action.
The order followed the granting of an interlocutory injunction in a suit filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCTA against the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), which is coordinating the strike.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Emmanuel Subilim held that once a trade dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court, parties are legally required to maintain the status quo and refrain from any form of industrial action pending the determination of the substantive suit. The court restrained JUAC, its leaders, agents, and members from continuing the strike, picketing, or disrupting official activities within the FCT.
The suit, marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, lists the FCT Minister and the FCTA as claimants, while the JUAC Chairman, Rifkatu Iortyer, and the committee’s Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, are named as defendants.
FCTA workers had embarked on an indefinite strike last week over unresolved welfare issues, including unpaid promotion arrears, outstanding allowances, and other entitlement-related grievances. The industrial action led to the shutdown of several government offices and disruption of public services across Abuja.
During the court proceedings, members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other union affiliates staged a protest at the court premises, expressing support for the workers and accusing the FCTA of failing to address their demands. Some protesters openly called for the removal of the FCT Minister.
The court adjourned the matter to March 23–25, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive case. The judge emphasized that the injunction is temporary and will remain in force until the court reaches a final decision on the dispute.
The ruling places pressure on both the FCTA and labour unions to return to the negotiation table, as the outcome of the substantive suit is expected to determine the legality of the strike and the future handling of labour disputes in the nation’s capital.
Abuja Network News
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