Workers in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have shunned the directive of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) to continue with its industrial action.

JUAC, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Comrade Abdullahi Umar Saleh, and issued to staff on Wednesday, directed workers to stay at home.

The statement read: “The Joint Union Action Committee therefore directs as follows: that the strike continues as earlier declared by the JUAC; and that staff are encouraged to stay at home and continuously participate in daily prayers for the success of the strike.”

However, staff of the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) were seen at work on Thursday, carrying out their duties in defiance of the directive.

A visit to FCTA and FCDA offices showed that workers were present and actively performing their responsibilities.

Some of the workers, who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune on condition of anonymity, said they chose to report to work in obedience to a court ruling.

One FCTA staff member said: “The court has said we should come to work, and we have no option but to comply. Also, this is the last week of January and we are expecting our salaries to be paid. If we don’t come to work, how will we get our salaries?”

The JUAC directive that the strike should continue came just a day after the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, granted an interlocutory injunction filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration, compelling workers under the union’s aegis to suspend their ongoing strike.

Delivering the ruling, Justice E.D. Subilim held that although the matter before the court constituted a trade dispute and met the required legal conditions, the defendants’ right to embark on industrial action was not absolute.

The judge ruled that workers were prohibited from participating in a strike once a dispute had been referred to the National Industrial Court, adding that where such a strike was already ongoing, it must cease pending the determination of the case.

“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the claimants and their representatives from further embarking on any industrial action against the claimant. The order shall remain in force pending the determination of this suit,” Justice Subilim said.

Recall that the Acting Head of the Civil Service of the FCT, Mrs Nancy Sabanti, had issued a circular directing all Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs) to open and strictly maintain staff attendance registers to ensure compliance with the court order.

The circular, dated January 27, 2026, instructed Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments, Parastatals and Agencies to enforce immediate resumption of duties by workers, while reaffirming the administration’s commitment to staff welfare. (Nigerian Tribune)

Update news