FCT Strike Escalates Labour Unions Mobilise Nationwide Support

FCT Strike Escalates Labour Unions Mobilise Nationwide Support
Abuja, Nigeria (Feb 2, 2026) The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced plans to hold a peaceful solidarity rally on Tuesday, February 3 in Abuja in support of striking workers of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
According to joint statements signed by Benson Upah (General Secretary of the NLC) and Nuhu Toro (Secretary General of TUC), the rally is intended to publicly reinforce the labour movement’s collective position that “an injury to one is an injury to all,” and that organised labour will not abandon its members in distress.
The solidarity action will see affiliates and state councils of both labour centres converging at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) offices in Abuja, with mobilisation directives issued to all members. The dispute stems from a strike by workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) that began on January 19, 2026. Workers have shut down key administrative offices within the FCT, including the FCTA Secretariat and the FCDA, to press long-standing labour grievances. Among the core issues cited by workers and their unions are: Non-remittance of pension fund deductions.
Failure to remit National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions to the appropriate authorities in line with the Pension Reform Act 2014 (as amended). Unpaid salaries and allowances claimed to have accrued over months. Widespread concerns over welfare, stagnating promotion timelines, and perceived poor conditions of service.
The labour movement says the strike is legitimate, non-negotiable, and rooted in justice and fairness, and that it will be sustained until the outstanding demands are met.
The ongoing strike has faced legal challenges. A National Industrial Court injunction instructed striking workers to suspend their action a ruling that the NLC and TUC have openly defied, describing it as one-sided and aimed at weakening labour’s position.
Union leadership has maintained that workers should continue and even intensify the industrial action until all demands are satisfactorily addressed, urging members to “defend your rights with courage and dignity.” Additionally, there have been formal warnings from the court to union leaders and FCT workers over alleged disobedience of the strike injunction. Date & Venue: Tuesday, February 3, at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Abuja.
Nature: Peaceful and lawful demonstration.
Participants: Members of the NLC and TUC from across affiliates and state councils in the FCT. Purpose: To demonstrate collective resistance to perceived injustice and underscore labour unity. Union leaders have emphasised that this solidarity rally is not simply a protest, but an affirmation of labour unity and workers’ rights nationwide. They insist workers’ rights are not freely given but won through collective struggle. The FCT strike and labour’s defiance reflect growing tensions between organised labour and government authorities over worker welfare, legal interpretations of industrial actions, and the enforcement of court directives. Previous statements from labour bodies accuse FCT authorities, including the Minister, of intimidation and neglect of worker rights. As the situation unfolds, both sides remain firm: union leaders continue to mobilise support and press their demands, while government and judiciary bodies assert legal boundaries and order compliance.