Administrative activities at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) have ground to a halt today, Monday, 19 January 2026, as workers commenced a total and indefinite strike.
The workers, under the umbrella of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), locked the main gates of the FCTA Secretariat in Area 11, Garki, preventing senior officials and visitors from gaining access to the premises.
The union leaders have cited a “persistent failure” by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the administration to address long-standing grievances. The core demands include:
Civil Service Commission Implementation: The full implementation of the FCT Civil Service Commission Act, which would allow for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries from within the FCTA ranks rather than from the federal pool.
Unpaid Arrears: Payment of outstanding promotion arrears and other allowances dating back to 2024.
Working Conditions: Protests against what the union calls “arbitrary postings” and a lack of investment in staff welfare facilities.
Training and Development: Demands for a dedicated budget for the professional training of middle-management staff.
The shutdown is expected to cause significant delays across various sectors of the city’s management.
Notably, Comrade Ametuo Abdullahi, Chairman of JUAC has said:
“We have been patient for too long. We have written letters, held meetings, and issued ultimatums, yet our members are still being treated like second-class citizens in their own administration. Until the FCT Civil Service Commission is fully operational and our arrears are paid, these gates will remain locked. No work, no pay does not scare us because we are not even being paid what we are owed.”
While Minister Nyesom Wike has not issued a formal rebuttal this morning, sources within the Ministry suggest that an emergency meeting has been scheduled for this afternoon to prevent the strike from paralyzing the city’s operations for the entire week.
Security has been beefed up around the Secretariat to ensure that the protest remains peaceful and does not escalate into a clash with law enforcement.
