Prosper Okoye
Nigeria’s main labour union has instructed workers in the capital, Abuja, to continue their strike action, despite a court order directing them to return to work.
In a circular issued on Tuesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) told its affiliate unions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to sustain and intensify the industrial action by employees of the FCT Administration.
The directive, signed by the NLC’s acting general secretary, Benson Upah, said outstanding grievances had not been resolved and described the situation as unacceptable.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe union said issues behind the strike included unpaid wage awards and promotion arrears, the non-remittance of pension and National Housing Fund deductions, and allegations of intimidation of workers.
“These violations are grave and incompatible with the principles of fairness, justice and decent work,” the NLC said.
The instruction came a day after the National Industrial Court in Abuja ordered workers on the payroll of the FCT Administration to suspend the strike.
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, the judge, Emmanuel Subilim, said while the dispute fell within labour relations, the right to strike was not absolute.
He ruled that once a dispute had been referred to the court, any ongoing industrial action must cease pending a final decision.
Despite the ruling, the NLC urged full participation in the strike, calling on unions to strengthen mobilisation and maintain daily solidarity activities across the capital.
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, warned that workers who failed to comply with the court order would face sanctions.
“From tomorrow, if they don’t come to work, we will apply the law,” he said, adding that anyone attempting to block access to government facilities would be dealt with.
The standoff has heightened tensions between organised labour and the FCT Administration, with both sides holding firm to their positions as the dispute continues.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
