Activities at the Federal Capital Territory Administration secretariat in Abuja were shut down on Monday as workers began an indefinite strike over unresolved labour and welfare issues.
The industrial action followed a directive by the Joint Union Action Congress, JUAC, which asked workers across all departments to withdraw their services from Monday, January 19, 2026.
In a statement dated January 8 and signed by JUAC President, Rifkatu Iortyer, and Secretary, Abdullahi Saleh, the unions said an earlier ultimatum issued on January 7 expired without any meaningful response from the FCTA management.
The workers listed several grievances, including the non-payment of outstanding promotion arrears and delays in the conduct and release of promotion exercises.
They also protested the continued extension of service for retired directors and permanent secretaries, a situation they said was blocking career progression for serving officers.
JUAC further accused the administration of failing to remit statutory deductions such as pension contributions and National Housing Fund payments, warning that the lapse could affect the future welfare of workers.
The unions also expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the 2024 promotion examinations, describing the exercise as largely unsuccessful and claiming many members were unfairly affected.
The workers insisted the strike would continue until their demands are fully addressed.
Security operatives were deployed around the secretariat to maintain order, while the FCTA management had yet to react to the development as of the time of filing this report.
Ahead of the strike, the unions circulated a notice titled “Code Remain at Home,” urging staff to stay away from work.
The notice read in part, “By this notice, all staff are advised to stay at home as the strike action declared by JUAC commences on Monday, January 19, 2026. Do not come to work from tomorrow because the JUAC taskforce will be on the ground to ensure compliance.”
The union leadership also called on members to remain united, ending the message with slogans such as “Aluta Continua! Victoria Acerta!” and “Enough is enough!”
