Oluwafunbi Bello 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Activities across Nigeria’s capital grind to a halt on Monday as workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) commence an industrial action over unmet demand.
By 9 a.m., our correspondent reported that the FCTA Secretariat in Abuja was shut, with workers barred from entry and heavy security deployed at the gates. Personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps man the premises.
The strike is expected to cripple operations across all FCTA secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils and parastatals within the Federal Capital Territory.
The Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) orders the walkout after an ultimatum issued earlier in January expires without what unions describe as “meaningful engagement” from management.
In a statement signed by JUAC President Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Saleh, the unions list unpaid promotion arrears, delayed promotion exercises and blocked career progression as key grievances.
They also accuse the administration of extending the tenure of retired directors and permanent secretaries, a practice they say stagnates the system.
“Statutory deductions, including pensions and National Housing Fund contributions, remain unremitted,” the unions say, warning that workers’ future welfare is at risk.
JUAC further expresses dissatisfaction with the outcome of the 2024 promotion examinations, describing the exercise as largely unsuccessful for its members.
As negotiations stall, the strike underscores mounting labour tensions within Nigeria’s public service and raises concerns over prolonged disruption to governance in the nation’s capital.
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Juliet Jacob 
Korede Abdullah 
