Normal activities at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) secretariat in Abuja were brought to a halt on Monday as workers began an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues.
The strike action, led by workers under the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), saw staff shut the main gates of the FCTA secretariat, preventing entry and disrupting official duties. The workers said the decision to down tools was taken after repeated appeals to the authorities failed to produce results.
According to the union, the strike is aimed at forcing the FCTA management to address long-standing issues affecting workers’ salaries, allowances, pensions, and overall working conditions.
Speaking to journalists at the secretariat, the President of JUAC, Mrs. Rifkatu Iortyer, said the workers had no choice but to embark on the strike due to the administration’s continued silence on their demands.
“We have been patient for too long. Our welfare issues have remained unresolved despite several meetings and appeals,” Iortyer said.
She explained that among the key grievances is the non-remittance of pension deductions and National Housing Fund (NHF) contributions, which are regularly deducted from workers’ salaries but not forwarded to the appropriate agencies.
According to her, this situation has left many workers worried about their future, especially those nearing retirement.
Another major issue raised by the union is the non-payment of salaries, overheads, and arrears from previous wage awards. Iortyer said some staff members have gone months without receiving their full entitlements, causing serious financial hardship.
She also complained about the centralized salary processing system, which she said has created delays and errors in salary payments.
The JUAC president further noted that workers at some departments, including the Abuja Environment Protection Board (AEPB) and the Social Development Secretariat, have not been paid their salaries.
In addition, she raised concerns about the absence of a defined financial threshold for Permanent Secretaries and heads of agencies, which she said has affected smooth administration and decision-making within the system.
“Angry workers on Monday shut the gates of the Federal Capital Territory Administration as they began an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare concerns,” Iortyer said, echoing parts of a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
She added that the unresolved issues have continued to affect workers’ morale and productivity, with many feeling neglected despite their commitment to public service.
Beyond pay-related concerns, the union also highlighted several other challenges faced by FCTA workers. These include unpaid promotion arrears, poor working conditions, and alleged intimidation of staff by some supervisors.
Iortyer also complained about limited opportunities for training and retraining, saying this has affected career growth and service delivery.
One of the more contentious issues raised by the union is the mass failure recorded in the 2024 promotion examination. According to Iortyer, a large number of workers failed the exam, which she said was unusual and unfair.
The union is calling for a review or outright reversal of the promotion exam results, insisting that the process was flawed.
“These problems have been there for a long time. Workers are frustrated and struggling, even though they have given their best years to serve the government,” she said.
This is not the first time JUAC has resorted to protest action. In June 2025, the union similarly shut the gates of the FCTA secretariat to draw attention to the same unresolved welfare issues. However, the union said agreements reached at the time were not fully implemented.
Iortyer stated that the current strike would continue indefinitely until the FCTA administration engages meaningfully with the workers and addresses their demands.
The strike has added to a growing pattern of industrial actions by workers in the Federal Capital Territory in recent years.
In January 2025, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA) embarked on a warning strike over unpaid salaries and allowances. The strike was later called off after the intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who facilitated the payment of six months’ salary arrears and approved accoutrement allowances.
Later in September 2025, resident doctors in Abuja launched an indefinite strike over unpaid salaries, stalled promotions, and poor hospital conditions. That strike followed a seven-day ultimatum and a previous warning strike that failed to achieve results.
Primary school teachers in the FCT also embarked on a prolonged strike in 2025. The teachers began the action in March over unpaid minimum wage arrears and other welfare concerns. The strike was suspended only after partial payment of their outstanding entitlements.
As of the time of filing this report, officials of the FCTA had not issued an official response to the strike or the demands raised by the union.
Residents of Abuja who rely on services provided by the FCTA may experience delays and disruptions if the strike continues.
For the striking workers, however, the message is clear. They insist that until their welfare issues are addressed, they will not return to work.
“We are open to dialogue, but action must follow,” Iortyer said. “Our demands are legitimate, and we will continue this strike until something meaningful is done.”
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