National Industrial Court in Abuja has ordered workers of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Administration to call off their indefinite strike over poor welfare and unpaid wages, pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim gave the ruling following an application filed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, seeking an order compelling striking FCT Administration workers to return to work.
Justice Subilim, in a short ruling, says even though the defendants have the right to industrial action, it is not absolute.
Citing Section 18 (1) of the Trade Dispute Act, the judge says in a trade dispute, workers cannot embark on industrial action over a matter already referred to the National Industrial Court. And if a strike is embarked upon over a matter that is in court, such industrial action must cease.
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The trial judge also stated that the Trade Dispute Act says failure to comply with section 18 can impose sanctions, as the public interest in creating industrial peace supersedes inconveniences in suspending the strike.
The court however adjourned till March 25 for hearing.
Workers of the FCT Administration, under the Joint Union Action Congress, began their industrial action on January 19, 2026, over unresolved welfare issues.
They are protesting five months of unpaid salaries, long-delayed promotion arrears, and poor working conditions, with their strike that is in its sixth day.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
