The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) sitting in Abuja has ordered workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to immediately suspend their ongoing industrial action.
Delivering the ruling this morning, January 27, 2026, Justice Emmanuel Subilim granted the ex-parte application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the FCTA (Suit No: NICN/ABJ/17/2026).
The court restrained the workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) from continuing the strike, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion.
The strike, which began earlier this month, was embarked upon by FCTA workers over unresolved issues including unpaid allowances, poor welfare packages, and alleged victimisation of union leaders.
The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, had approached the court seeking an urgent order to halt the industrial action, arguing that the strike was paralysing critical services in the nation’s capital, including waste management, health services, security support, and administrative functions.
In his ruling, Justice Subilim held that the strike posed an immediate threat to public safety and the smooth running of government in the FCT, and that the applicants had demonstrated a prima facie case warranting interim relief.
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The court further directed all parties to maintain the status quo and adjourned the matter to February 10, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
The JUAC leadership is yet to issue an official response to the court order, but sources close to the union indicate that compliance is expected pending legal advice.
The development is expected to restore normalcy in FCTA operations, though underlying grievances remain unresolved.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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