Staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Area (FCDA) began an indefinite strike action on Monday, shutting down offices and halting operations across the territory.
Employees of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority began a strike on Monday, halting governmental operations throughout Abuja.
Our reporter, who arrived at the FCTA Secretariat at 8:10 a.m., noticed a strong security presence at the entrance, with members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Police Force positioned at the gate. Employees were prohibited from accessing the site.
The strike is anticipated to impact all FCTA secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils, and parastatals, essentially halting official operations throughout the Federal Capital Territory.
A security officer who talked to our correspondent under the condition of anonymity stated, “Employees of FCDA and FCTA are prohibited from entering the office premises due to the strike.”
The move came after workers announced on Friday their intentions to close government offices throughout the FCT and its area councils.
The Joint Union Action Congress made the decision, instructing workers of all levels in the FCT to cease their services, pointing to what it termed the authorities’ “failure to meet long-standing labor and welfare requests.”
It was noted that the choice came after a seven-day ultimatum given to the FCTA management, which the unions claimed went unanswered despite multiple meetings taking place during that time.
The ultimatum, effective January 7, 2026, was included in a statement dated January 8 and endorsed by JUAC President Comrade Rifkatu Iortyer, along with the Secretary, Comrade Abdullahi Saleh.
The Minister of State for the FCT, the Chief of Staff, the Head of Service, and the Director of Security Services were also notified.
The unions state that unresolved matters consist of unpaid promotion backlogs, halted promotions, and the ongoing extension of service for retired directors and permanent secretaries. They also claimed that the administration did not send the workers’ pension contributions and National Housing Fund deductions.
JUAC also expressed worries about the management of the 2024 promotion exams, labeling the event a failure that allegedly impacted a majority of its candidates.
Details later…
