FCTA, FCDA Workers Begin Strike

Workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) on Monday commenced an indefinite strike, shutting down government offices across Abuja and its six area councils.

The industrial action followed an earlier notice issued by the workers’ unions on Friday, declaring their intention to withdraw services over unresolved labour and welfare issues.

The decision was taken by the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), which directed workers across all cadres within the FCT public service to down tools, citing what it described as the authorities’ “failure to address long-standing labour and welfare demands.”

It was gathered that the strike followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCTA management, which the unions said was ignored despite a series of meetings held within the period.

The ultimatum, which took effect from January 7, 2026, was conveyed in a statement dated January 8 and jointly signed by the JUAC President, Comrade Rifkatu Iortyer, and the Secretary, Comrade Abdullahi Saleh.

Copies of the notice were also forwarded to the Minister of State for the FCT, the Chief of Staff, the Head of Service, and the Director of Security Services.

According to the unions, unresolved issues include outstanding promotion arrears, stalled promotions, and the continued extension of service for retired directors and permanent secretaries.

JUAC further alleged that the FCTA administration had failed to remit workers’ pension contributions and National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions.

The unions also raised concerns over the conduct of the 2024 promotion examinations, describing the exercise as a failure that reportedly affected a large number of candidates.

As of the time of filing this report, government offices across the FCT remained shut, with no official response from the FCTA management.