FCT Area Councils’ Workers Suspend Strike

Workers of the six area councils under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, have suspended their three-month-old strike following the intervention of the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.

The workers were directed to resume duties tomorrow

The decision to call off the strike was reached at an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held at the union’s secretariat in Gwagwalada, Abuja, after the minister approved the allocation of 10 percent of the area councils’ Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to settle the salary arrears.

In a press statement signed by NULGE FCT president, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Kabi and SEC secretary, Comrade Abdulmumini Sa’ad, the union adopted the following resolutions: the immediate suspension of strike, directing workers to return to their offices from July 16, 2025.

“Special Committee for Harmonisation: A committee set up by the minister will work with NULGE to resolve all arrears within two weeks, with further legislative backing from the National Assembly Committee on FCT.

“Engagement with council chairmen: The union will continue negotiations on unresolved demands, including the 40 percent peculiar allowance (from January 2023 till date), 25 percent – 35 percent CONHESS/CONMESS and CONPSS salary adjustments (from June 2023), and the N35,000 wage award for six months (from August 2024).

“Commitment to Industrial Peace: NULGE pledged to maintain harmony while pushing for the full implementation of workers’ entitlements,” NULGE stated.

The union expressed gratitude to Wike, the FCT Traditional Council, and other stakeholders for their roles in resolving the impasse. The minister’s directive to utilise 10 percent of the IGR for salary payments demonstrates his commitment to workers’ welfare. We also appreciate the patience of our members and the public during this challenging period,” NULGE stated.

Despite the suspension, NULGE highlighted unresolved demands, including unremitted pension deductions to workers’ Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), promotion arrears, and other entitlements.

The union vowed to continue engaging the area council chairmen to ensure the full implementation of all agreements, warning that while it had opted for dialogue, it reserves the right to resume industrial action if the agreements were not honoured.

A senior official at the FCT Administration, who preferred anonymity, said the minister’s intervention was aimed at preventing further disruptions to local governance.

“This strike has affected service delivery at the grassroots. We are optimistic that the committee will ensure that all the parties fulfill their obligations, as the FCT Administration cannot afford another industrial action by the area council workers,” he said.