BREAKING: FCTA Directs Striking Workers To Resume Duties, Cites Court Suspension Of Industrial Action

The directive is contained in a circular issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, Federal Capital Territory Administration, and addressed to coordinators, permanent secretaries, and heads of parastatals and agencies.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has directed workers across its secretariats, departments and agencies to resume duties following a court order suspending the ongoing strike by staff of the administration.

The directive is contained in a circular issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, Federal Capital Territory Administration, and addressed to coordinators, permanent secretaries, and heads of parastatals and agencies.

The letter dated Tuesday January 27, 2026, was signed by the Acting Head of the Civil Service, FCT, Nancy Sabanti Nathan.

The circular followed a ruling delivered on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which ordered the suspension of the industrial action declared by the Joint Union Action Committee.

Explaining the basis for the directive, the circular stated: “Following the Court Order by the Honourable Justice E. D. Subilim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria today Tuesday 27th January, 2026 that the on-going Strike action by the staff of the FCT Administration as declared by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) should be suspended forthwith. Accordingly, all Staff are to resume duties immediately at their various duty posts.”

The circular further outlined responsibilities assigned to senior officials as work resumes across the administration.

It said: “Consequently, all Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments and Agencies are directed by this circular to maintain staff attendance register even as Management is committed to the welfare of members of staff.”

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service also directed that the information be communicated promptly to all affected personnel.

“Please, bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all concerned for immediate compliance,” the letter added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the NICN in Abuja ordered workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) to suspend their ongoing strike action that had paralysed activities in the FCT.

Justice E.D. Subilim granted an interlocutory injunction filed by the Minister of the FCT, Wike, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in suit number NICN/ABJ/17/2026, restraining JUAC and its leadership from continuing the industrial action.

The FCT Minister and the FCTA had sued the Chairman of JUAC, Rifkatu Iortyer, and its Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, seeking an order restraining them, their agents and privies from embarking on, continuing or participating in any industrial action, including picketing or lockout.

Delivering his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Subilim held that although the dispute qualified as a trade dispute and had met the required legal conditions, the right of workers to embark on strike was not absolute.

He ruled that once a trade dispute had been referred to the National Industrial Court, workers were prohibited from participating in any strike, adding that where such action was already ongoing, it must cease pending the determination of the case.

The court adjourned the matter to March 23, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.