Wike: Activities Grounded as FCT Workers Embark on Strike over Working Conditions
- Activities at the FCTA and FCDA were halted on Monday as workers began an indefinite strike called by the Joint Union Action Committee
- Union leaders ordered staff to remain at home, with task forces deployed to enforce full compliance with the industrial action
- The FCTA management had yet to issue an official response, raising concerns over the disruption of administrative services in Abuja
Legit.ng's Muslim Muhammad Yusuf is a 2025 Wole Soyinka Award-winning journalist with over 8 years of experience in investigative reporting, human rights, politics, governance and accountability in Nigeria.
Activities at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) were paralysed on Monday following the commencement of an indefinite strike by workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC).
Findings early Monday morning showed that the main gates of the FCTA/FCDA Secretariat were shut as early as 7:00 a.m., denying workers and visitors access to the complex.
Source: Facebook
According to Daily Trust, several departments and agencies within the secretariat were also closed.
The industrial action followed a circular issued late Sunday night by JUAC, directing all employees to stay away from work in full compliance with the strike directive.
Remain at home, union urges workers
In the notice, titled “Code: Remain at Home,” the union leadership called on workers to cooperate, describing the action as part of ongoing agitations for improved working conditions within the FCTA.
The circular warned staff against reporting for duty, noting that a JUAC task force had been mobilised to ensure total compliance with the directive.
“By this notice, all staff are advised to remain at home as the strike action declared by JUAC commences on Monday, January 19, 2026. Do not come to work, as the JUAC task force will be on the ground to enforce compliance,” the notice stated.
The union urged members to maintain the directive until further notice.
FCT yet to respond
As a result, administrative operations at the FCT Secretariat complex have been completely suspended, with entry restricted and no visible official activities taking place.
As of the time of filing this report, the management of the FCTA had yet to issue an official response to the strike. T
The development has raised concerns over possible disruption of essential administrative services in the Federal Capital Territory should the industrial action continue.
Wike’s performance as FCT minister
A policy analyst, Umar El-Faruk Ahmad, has offered a mixed assessment of the performance of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, commending his commitment to project delivery while raising concerns over the welfare of workers in the territory.
Ahmad praised Wike for what he described as the visible and decisive execution of infrastructural projects across the FCT.
According to him, the minister has demonstrated a strong commitment to completing projects and improving public infrastructure in several areas of Abuja.
“In terms of project delivery, Wike has performed well in many areas. You can see that there is commitment and speed in the execution of projects,” Ahmad said.
Source: Facebook
However, the analyst noted that the achievements in infrastructure appear to contrast sharply with the experiences of FCT workers.
He explained that many workers he has spoken with expressed dissatisfaction with their welfare, particularly salary payments, since Wike assumed office.
“Workers are suffering, even though they are smiling. Many have raised concerns that since Wike resumed, salary payments have been irregular, with no specific or predictable day for payment,” he said.
Ahmad advised the FCT minister to pay closer attention to workers' welfare, stressing that sustainable development goes beyond physical projects.
He argued that prioritising timely salaries and improved working conditions would strengthen morale and complement the minister’s achievements in infrastructure delivery.
Protesters shut Wike's office in Abuja
Legit.ng earlier reported that protestors have descended on Nyesom Wike's office in Abuja over the non-implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for council workers.
A large group in their hundreds, including health professionals and teachers, marched from the Labour House in the Central Area bearing placards.
Following the protest action, Wike summoned the area council chairmen and questioned why they had not yet implemented the minimum wage.
Wike issues fresh order to schools in FCT
Legit.ng earlier reported that the FCTA ordered all public senior secondary schools in Abuja to shut down by 28 November due to rising security concerns.
The directive was issued through a memo signed by Aishatu Sani Alhassan, instructing schools to end academic activities immediately.
The closure followed a surge in attacks on schools nationwide, including recent abductions in Kebbi and Niger states.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
