Court Orders Striking FCT Workers to Resume Work Immediately

Court Orders Striking FCT Workers to Resume Work Immediately

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has ordered striking employees of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to immediately suspend their strike and resume work, temporarily halting an industrial action that has disrupted public services across Abuja.

The court granted an interlocutory injunction following a suit filed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the FCTA against the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), which coordinated the strike. Justice Emmanuel Subilim ruled that once a trade dispute is brought before the Industrial Court, parties must maintain industrial peace pending full legal resolution.

The strike, which entered its sixth day, grounded operations in ministries, departments, and agencies, affecting essential services and frustrating residents of the nation’s capital. Union members had protested unpaid salary arrears, delayed promotions, and poor welfare conditions, citing repeated failed appeals to authorities.

READ ALSO:

• Lawyer’s Viral DNA Test Advice Divides Nigerians Online
• Fuel Price Alert: MRS Sells Petrol at ₦839 Nationwide as Nigerians React
• National Grid Collapses Again, Second Time in Five Days

The industrial action drew national attention after protests blocked key roads, including reports that the FCT Minister’s convoy was temporarily impeded by striking workers. While labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), expressed solidarity with the workers, the FCTA warned that prolonged industrial action threatens public order and service delivery.

The court adjourned the substantive matter to March 23, 2026, but with the injunction in place, all FCT employees are legally required to return to work immediately. Authorities and union leaders have been urged to engage in dialogue to resolve the underlying disputes peacefully.

Experts say the ruling reinforces the principle that while workers have the right to strike, such actions must comply with legal frameworks and cannot override court intervention once a dispute is under judicial review.

The development is being closely followed nationwide as it highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing labour rights, government responsibilities, and public service continuity in Nigeria.

Court Orders Striking FCT Workers to Resume Work Immediately