Workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration, backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress, took to the streets of Abuja on Monday, escalating pressure on the FCT leadership over lingering labour disputes and unmet welfare demands.
The demonstration formed part of an ongoing total and indefinite strike, with aggrieved staff staging a picket at the National Industrial Court to draw national attention to what they described as systemic neglect of workers’ rights within the territory’s administration.
According to labour leaders, the protest followed a formal directive by the NLC endorsing the industrial action.
Union officials argued that repeated engagements with FCTA authorities had yielded little progress, leaving workers with no option but to shut down services and mobilise publicly.
Placards displayed during the protest conveyed a mix of economic and political grievances.
Messages such as “Wike must go,” “Pay promotion arrears,” “Enough is enough,” and “No working tools” underscored frustration over unpaid entitlements, poor working conditions, and leadership style at the FCTA.
Speaking at the scene, an NLC representative said the strike was a response to “persistent violations of labour agreements and the refusal of authorities to prioritise workers’ welfare.”
He added that Abuja workers were demanding dignity, not confrontation, and expected concrete actions rather than assurances.
FCTA workers also insisted that the administration’s approach to governance had deepened tensions, stressing that the capital city’s workforce should not be treated differently from public servants elsewhere in the country.
“Abuja is not a special exception when it comes to labour rights,” one protester said.
Meanwhile, union leaders warned that the strike would remain in force until all outstanding issues, including promotion arrears and provision of basic working tools, are fully addressed, signalling the likelihood of prolonged disruption if talks fail to resume.