Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) secretariats and offices have reopened for official business following an interlocutory injunction from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, directing workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) to immediately suspend their indefinite strike.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, by Justice E.D. Subilim in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/17/2026, granted the request filed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the FCTA.
The court restrained JUAC, its leadership including President Rifkatu Iortyer (also referred to as Rifkatu Lorter) and members from continuing any industrial action, picketing, or lockout pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The court stressed that while workers have the right to industrial action, this right is not absolute. Once a trade dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court, any ongoing strike must cease to allow for judicial resolution.
The strike, which began around January 19, 2026, had paralyzed activities across FCTA secretariats, departments, and agencies. Workers protested over unresolved welfare issues, including unpaid wage awards (five months of arrears), stalled promotions and outstanding promotion arrears, non-remittance of pension contributions and National Housing Fund deductions since May 2025, poor working conditions, and delays in releasing overhead funds for operational materials.
In response to the ruling, Minister Nyesom Wike urged all staff to resume duties without delay, warning of legal consequences including potential sanctions for non-compliance.
He emphasized that his administration remains open to genuine negotiations and reasonable dialogue with union leaders but would not succumb to intimidation or allow external influences to undermine progress.
The FCTA Head of Service has since directed workers to return to work, instructing permanent secretaries, heads of departments, and agencies to maintain accurate staff attendance registers to monitor compliance.
On the ground, however, resumption was partial on the first day. While some secretariats reopened and security personnel were deployed at key locations to ensure order and prevent any breakdown of law and order, certain FCTA premises remained sparsely populated, with full activities yet to normalize.
JUAC President Rifkatu Iortyer stated that, as a party to the suit, she would abide by the court's judgment, describing the outcome as a "win-win situation" that allows the dispute to proceed through proper legal channels while protecting workers' interests.
The substantive suit has been adjourned to March 23, 2026, for further hearing. The development follows heightened tensions, including worker protests at the court premises and attempts to intercept the minister's convoy during earlier demonstrations.
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