Government operations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were brought to a standstill today as workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) commenced an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare and labour demands.
The industrial action is compounded by tensions over utility debts, with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) restoring power to the FCT Water Board under strict conditions to avert a prolonged water crisis.
Early Monday morning, security personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Nigeria Police Force were deployed at the FCTA/FCDA Secretariat gates in Abuja, barring workers and visitors from entering government offices as the strike took effect. The shutdown was implemented in line with directives from the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), which ordered workers across all cadres to withdraw services starting January 19 after management failed to respond to earlier ultimatums.
The union, led by President Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Saleh, stated in a letter dated January 8 that an ultimatum issued on January 7 had lapsed without meaningful engagement from FCTA/FCDA leadership. The strike is expected to affect all secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils, and parastatals under the FCTA, effectively grounding government operations citywide.
JUAC outlined a series of long-standing grievances driving the action, including:
Non-payment of promotion arrears and delays in the conduct and release of promotion exercises.
▪︎ Continued extension of service for retired directors and permanent secretaries, seen as blocking career progression.
▪︎ Failure to remit statutory deductions such as pension contributions and National Housing Fund payments, which unions warn could jeopardize future employee welfare.
▪︎ Alleged shortcomings in the 2024 promotion examination, with many members reportedly adversely affected.
Additional complaints about poor salary processing, unpaid allowances, non-payment of overheads, and irregular remittance processes.
JUAC has warned that the indefinite strike will continue until authorities meaningfully address all outstanding demands.
The strike echoes earlier protests in June and July 2025 when FCTA workers issued a series of ultimatums over similar welfare concerns.
Meanwhile, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) at the weekend restored power supply to the FCT Water Board after widespread public outcry over disruptions in water services.
AEDC had previously disconnected electricity due to more than a year of outstanding debts — reportedly running into over N1 billion — owed by the Water Board for electricity usage.
In a statement, AEDC’s Head of Brand Marketing & Corporate Communications, Omede Odekina, explained that despite numerous engagements and notices to regularize the account, the Water Board failed to settle its obligations, prompting the earlier disconnection.
However, acknowledging the critical importance of water to public health and safety, AEDC’s Acting Managing Director/CEO, Chijioke Okwuokenye, ordered an immediate reconnection on a conditional basis. The Water Board has been given a two-week ultimatum to present and begin implementing a credible payment plan to settle its outstanding electricity debts or face another disconnection.
AEDC emphasised that while it remains open to collaborative solutions, failure to comply with the payment plan within the stipulated period will leave the company with no alternative but to enforce another disconnection under regulatory guidelines.
The concurrent strike and utility disputes are already impacting public services and daily life in the FCT:
Government offices across Abuja remain locked down, affecting administrative functions.
Residents have expressed concern over potential water shortages, which could be exacerbated if the Water Board fails to honor the payment plan.
Analysts warn that prolonged industrial action and utility standoffs may undermine service delivery, morale, and investor confidence in the nation’s capital.
Authorities have yet to issue an official response to the strike, and efforts to initiate dialogue between FCTA/FCDA leaders and union representatives are anticipated in the coming days. With both the strike and the water board debt deadline unfolding concurrently, the situation remains fluid and likely to shape civic life in Abuja in the weeks ahead.
