NLC threatens Abuja shutdown over unresolved wage disputes

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, has issued a warning that it may shut down Abuja following July 3 if the FCT Administration (FCTA) fails to address ongoing labour issues affecting workers in the area councils.

The union said the protest, currently on hold, is intended to compel authorities to resolve multiple outstanding welfare matters. These issues have triggered persistent strikes in all six FCT area councils.

According to the NLC, the decision to delay action was influenced by President Bola Tinubu’s current schedule of project inaugurations across the capital, which are expected to end on July 3.

“We had to extend the ultimatum because of Tinubu’s movements to inaugurate the FCT-executed project,” said Knabayi. “Members of the union will take over the streets of Abuja as soon as Tinubu concludes the inauguration.”

Public services have already been disrupted by the impasse, with primary healthcare centres, government schools, and local council offices largely non-operational.

The industrial action involves several unions, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and the National Association of Health Workers. They are jointly pressing for the payment of outstanding minimum wage arrears, the implementation of a 40 percent peculiar allowance, and the activation of previously agreed salary increments of 25 and 35 percent.

Additionally, the unions are urging the enforcement of a N35,000 wage award previously promised by the Federal Government.

An initial seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCTA on June 13 lapsed on June 20 without any resolution. This, according to union leaders, has led to plans for mass mobilisation. They criticised the chairpersons of the area councils for what they described as a lack of serious engagement, despite repeated interventions.

The NLC also took issue with the abrupt suspension of the N70,000 minimum wage scheme, which was launched in May but halted the following month without any official explanation.

The union confirmed that both the FCT Administration and security agencies have been formally alerted about the upcoming protest, which they described as a final effort to prevent further collapse of critical services.