Abuja offices shut as FCTA, FCDA workers down tools over unpaid entitlements, welfare concerns

Activities across the Federal Capital Territory were brought to a standstill on Monday as workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) began an industrial action over what they described as the failure of the authorities to address long-standing labour and welfare issues.

The strike, which took effect in the early hours of the day, led to the closure of government offices across Abuja, including secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils and parastatals.

Workers were prevented from gaining access to their offices, effectively enforcing the shutdown.

A security operative confirmed the development, saying, “FCTA and FCDA staff are not allowed into the premises because the unions have commenced their strike.”

The industrial action followed an earlier warning by the workers, who on Friday announced plans to shut down government operations across the Federal Capital Territory and its six area councils if their grievances were not resolved.

The decision to withdraw services was taken by the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), which directed workers in all cadres within the FCT to comply with the strike directive. The unions accused the FCTA management of ignoring repeated appeals and engagements over outstanding issues affecting staff welfare.

It was gathered that the action was triggered by the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCTA management, which the unions said elapsed without any meaningful response.

The ultimatum, which became effective on January 7, 2026, was conveyed in a statement dated January 8 and jointly signed by the President of JUAC, Comrade Rifkatu Iortyer, and its Secretary, Comrade Abdullahi Saleh. The notice was also copied to the Minister of State for the FCT, the Chief of Staff, the Head of Service and the Director of Security Services.

According to the unions, some of the key demands include the payment of outstanding promotion arrears, the resolution of stalled promotion exercises and the immediate cessation of the continued service extension granted to retired directors and permanent secretaries.

The workers also alleged that the FCTA had failed to remit their pension contributions and National Housing Fund deductions, raising concerns about their financial security and future benefits.

In addition, JUAC expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the 2024 promotion examinations, describing the process as flawed and claiming that many workers were unfairly affected by the exercise.