NLC and TUC suspend FCT strike, order workers back to duty after Wike assures no victimisation and unions agree to withdraw court cases

Organised labour has agreed to suspend further industrial action in the Federal Capital Territory and withdraw all pending court cases after assurances by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, that no worker would be victimised over the recent strike.

Also read: Police urge NLC, TUC to reschedule Abuja protest

The decision followed a marathon conciliatory meeting between leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and the minister, convened at the instance of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi.

In a circular dated February 3, 2026, addressed to all affiliates of the TUC and NLC, the unions directed members working in the FCT to resume work immediately.

The circular was jointly signed on behalf of the Joint Union Action Committee and workers by the Secretary General of the TUC, Nuhu Toro, and the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah.

According to the circular, the meeting began at about 11:45pm and ended at 3:51am after what the unions described as “extensive and frank deliberations.”

“All affiliates are hereby informed that a conciliatory meeting held between the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at the instance of the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi,” the circular stated.

The unions said all grievances tabled by workers were exhaustively discussed.

“All complaints presented by JUAC members were taken one after the other and fully addressed,” the circular noted.

On the central issue arising from the strike action, organised labour said Wike gave firm assurances that no reprisals would follow.

“Arising from the strike action, no worker shall be victimised in any manner,” the circular stated.

The minister also assured labour leaders of continued engagement and mutual respect going forward.

As part of the resolutions reached, the unions agreed to discontinue all legal actions connected to the dispute.

“All outstanding cases at the National Industrial Court shall be withdrawn immediately,” the circular added.

Following the agreements, labour leaders directed an immediate return to work across all FCT institutions.

“Consequently, all JUAC members and all affiliates of the TUC and NLC working in the Ministry of the FCT are hereby directed to resume work immediately,” it read.

The leadership of the unions urged strict compliance, stressing the need to preserve industrial peace and harmony.

The directive followed the suspension of a planned protest by the NLC and TUC earlier scheduled to hold in Abuja.

A visit to the Federal Capital Territory Administration Secretariat at about 8:30am showed workers returning to their duty posts in compliance with the directive.

The protest had been planned in solidarity with FCTA workers who began an indefinite strike on January 19 over unpaid salaries, promotion arrears and poor working conditions.

The resolution also came amid legal and security concerns surrounding the planned protest.

On Monday, the National Industrial Court restrained the NLC and TUC from embarking on any protest or industrial action within the FCT, following an ex parte application by Wike and the FCTA. The matter was adjourned to February 10 for further hearing.

Also read: NLC backs indefinite strike over unpaid wages, pensions in FCT

Similarly, the FCT Police Command had advised the unions to suspend the protest, citing intelligence reports that the action could be infiltrated by non-state actors and pose a threat to public peace.