The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have declared their full support for workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), insisting that the ongoing strike will continue until the FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, agrees to negotiate with the workers.
The unions made this position known in a joint press statement issued on January 28, 2026.
In the statement, the NLC and TUC accused the FCT Minister of treating the workers shabbily and said the situation had been further compounded by a ruling of the National Industrial Court, which they described as one-sided and aimed at breaking the strike. They warned that the matter was grave and carried wider implications for workers’ rights and dignity across the country.
According to the unions, they had expected the minister to seize the opportunity presented by the court ruling to reach out to organised labour and pursue an amicable resolution of the dispute. Instead, they alleged, he resorted to threats against the workers.
The NLC and TUC said the offences committed against FCT workers were serious, accusing the authorities of adding intimidation, humiliation, insults, and harassment to an already tense situation, which they said they could not ignore.
They stressed that workers could not be reduced to slaves in their own country, adding that organised labour stood firmly for the rule of law and its strict observance, irrespective of the status or position of the parties involved in the dispute.
While reaffirming their support for the striking workers, the unions urged them to maintain high morale in the face of what they described as relentless threats.
They further clarified that the interlocutory injunction obtained by the FCT Minister was directed at two individual union leaders and not against the striking trade unions themselves. On this basis, the unions said the strike action remained in force.
The NLC and TUC also commented on the judiciary, commending judges they described as honest and committed to the cause of justice, while cautioning against judicial conduct which, they warned, could pose dangers to society.
The statement concluded by reiterating that the strike would continue until the FCT Minister agreed to negotiate with the workers. The unions urged workers to defend their rights with courage and dignity.
The statement was jointly signed by Comrade Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the NLC, and Comrade General N. A. Toro, PhD, mni, Secretary General of the TUC.
