In a major breakthrough for industrial peace in the nation’s capital, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and organized labor unions have successfully reached an agreement to end the ongoing strike. The decision followed an intense marathon negotiation that lasted over three hours, finally concluding in the early hours of Tuesday morning around 3:50 a.m.
The high-stakes talks were mediated by Senator Mohammed Bomoi, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT. Representatives from both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) were present to finalize the terms that allowed employees of the FCT Administration to return to their duty posts immediately.
Briefing the press after the meeting, Comrade Benson Upah, the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, and Dr. Nuhu Toro, the General Secretary of the TUC, outlined the key points of the truce. A significant part of the resolution includes a guarantee that no worker will face victimization for their role in the industrial action. Furthermore, both parties agreed to withdraw all legal cases currently pending at the National Industrial Court.
The Minister also committed to a path of sustained dialogue and mutual respect with the unions to prevent future friction. Upah noted that every complaint presented by the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) was meticulously reviewed and addressed during the session. He emphasized that the Minister’s assurances have paved the way for a more collaborative relationship between the administration and its workforce.
As a result of these successful deliberations, workers under the JUAC umbrella and all affiliates of the NLC and TUC within the FCT Ministry have been directed to resume work without delay. The union leaders urged their members to comply strictly with the directive in the interest of industrial harmony and as a show of good faith following the government’s concessions.
The strike, which had grounded several activities across Abuja for days, originally stemmed from unresolved labor disputes within the FCT Administration. Despite previous court orders and security warnings from the FCT Police Command, the unions had remained firm until this recent intervention by the Senate Committee finally broke the deadlock.
