by Godwin Orozo-
Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have suspended their planned protest and returned to work following a marathon conciliation meeting with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The all-night meeting, convened by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi, began at about 11:45 p.m. on Monday and ended shortly before 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
In a joint statement released after the talks, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) announced the suspension of the “mega protest” earlier scheduled for Tuesday, January 3, 2026.
The statement, signed by TUC Secretary-General, Nuhu Toro, and Acting NLC General Secretary, Benson Upah, said all grievances raised by FCTA workers were “discussed exhaustively and addressed.”
“The Minister of the FCT committed to mutual respect for workers and sustained engagement with labour unions to prevent a recurrence of disputes,” the statement read.
Labour also said it was agreed that no worker would be victimised for participating in the strike action, while all pending cases at the National Industrial Court relating to the dispute would be withdrawn immediately.
“It was further resolved that no FCTA staff member shall suffer any form of sanction as a result of involvement in the industrial action,” the unions stated.
Following the agreement, all affiliates of JUAC, NLC and TUC were directed to resume work with immediate effect from Tuesday, January 3, 2026.
“In the interest of peace and industrial harmony, we urge all workers to comply fully with this directive,” the statement added.
JUAC had embarked on an indefinite strike in mid-2025, which spilled into January 2026, over unresolved labour and welfare issues in the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
Among the unions’ demands were the payment of wage awards and promotion arrears, correction of salary distortions, restoration of overhead allocations, and remittance of pension deductions.
Other grievances included the prolonged tenure of some directors, which unions said had stalled career progression for junior officers, and calls for a review of a computer-based promotional examination in which only about 22 per cent of candidates reportedly passed.
