Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have commenced an indefinite strike in Abuja, citing persistent welfare and employment-related challenges that have remained unresolved for years.
The industrial action, led by the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), resulted in the closure of the FCTA secretariat, effectively disrupting official activities. Union members say the strike became unavoidable after repeated appeals to the administration failed to produce meaningful results.
Speaking to journalists, JUAC President Mrs. Rifkatu Iortyer explained that the protest is driven by multiple outstanding issues affecting staff wellbeing and productivity. Among the key concerns are the failure to remit pension and National Housing Fund deductions, unpaid salaries and overheads, as well as outstanding arrears linked to previous wage awards.
She also raised concerns about the centralized salary payment system, the non-payment of staff working with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board and the Social Development Secretariat, and the lack of defined financial approval limits for Permanent Secretaries and heads of agencies.
Additional grievances include unpaid promotion arrears, poor working environments, alleged intimidation of staff, and limited access to training and professional development opportunities. The union further criticized the outcome of the 2024 promotion examinations, which recorded a high failure rate, calling for a review and reversal of the results.
According to JUAC, these issues have lingered for years, placing significant strain on workers who have continued to perform their duties despite growing hardship. The union recalled a similar shutdown of the FCTA secretariat in June 2025, staged to draw attention to the same unresolved demands.
The union has made it clear that the strike will remain in place until the FCTA leadership engages in serious dialogue and takes concrete steps to address the concerns raised.
The current action reflects a broader pattern of labour unrest within the FCT. Over recent years, health workers, teachers, and other public-sector employees in Abuja have repeatedly resorted to strikes over unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and poor working conditions—underscoring ongoing challenges in public sector labour relations within the territory.
