A major strike that threatened to shut down activities across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was averted after midnight conciliatory talks between the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and organised labour leaders ended in a truce.
The breakthrough followed hours of intense deliberations between officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and their affiliates, just as the planned industrial action was set to begin.
Tensions had risen across Abuja over workers’ grievances relating to welfare, allowances, and other unresolved labour issues affecting FCT employees. The unions had accused the FCTA of failing to adequately address their demands and had insisted on proceeding with the strike.
The dispute escalated after the FCTA obtained a court order restraining the unions from embarking on the strike or staging protests. Labour leaders initially rejected the order and vowed to press ahead with the action, fuelling concerns about a possible shutdown of public services in the nation’s capital.
However, according to an official statement jointly issued by the NLC and TUC, a conciliatory meeting was convened with the minister at the instance of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Sen. Mohammed Bomai.
The unions disclosed that the meeting commenced at 11:45 p.m. and concluded at 3:51 a.m. after what they described as “extensive and frank deliberations”.
At the end of the session, several resolutions were reached. The statement, signed by Comrade General Nuhu Toro, Secretary General, TUC and Comrade Benson Ukpah, Secretary General, NLC added that all complaints presented by members of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) were taken one after another and fully addressed.
It added that the minister assured organised labour of mutual respect and sustained engagement going forward, while both sides agreed that no worker would be victimised over the strike action.
The parties also resolved that all outstanding cases at the National Industrial Court (NIC) would be withdrawn immediately.
Consequently, the unions directed all JUAC members and affiliates of both the TUC and NLC working in the Ministry of the FCT (MFCT) to resume work without delay.
“All affiliates are enjoined to comply strictly with this directive in the interest of industrial peace and harmony in good faith,” the circular stated.
Wike has repeatedly called for dialogue, maintaining that his administration remains open to addressing legitimate workers’ concerns, provided engagements follow due process and the rule of law.
Labour leaders, for their part, described the suspension of the strike as a goodwill gesture, warning that failure to achieve concrete progress in subsequent talks could reignite industrial action.
The development has brought immediate relief to residents and businesses in Abuja, with public offices and essential services expected to continue normal operations as negotiations resume.
