The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning that it will shut down Abuja after July 3 if the ongoing industrial disputes affecting area council workers are not resolved.
Dr. Stephen Knabayi, Chairman of the FCT NLC, made the announcement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday.
He stated that the planned action aims to pressure the FCT Administration into addressing the welfare concerns of striking workers.
According to Knabayi, the union had postponed its protest to allow President Bola Tinubu complete his second anniversary project inaugurations, which are expected to conclude on July 3.
“We extended the ultimatum in deference to the President’s activities. But as soon as the inaugurations are over, we will hit the streets,” Knabayi said.
“The protest is not going to be minor—we are prepared to mobilize massively.”
The FCT has been plagued by months of industrial unrest across its six area councils. Primary health centres remain closed, public school teachers are absent from classrooms, and government secretariats are largely deserted due to the ongoing strike.
The workers are demanding the payment of overdue minimum wage arrears, a 40% peculiar allowance, and the implementation of agreed salary increases of 25% and 35%.
They are also insisting on the enforcement of the N35,000 wage award approved by the Federal Government.
Knabayi described the situation as dire, accusing local council chairmen of ignoring repeated calls for action.
“This is not what we want, but we’ve been left with no choice,” he said. “A strike or protest is always a last resort, and unfortunately, it has come to that.”
He revealed that the NLC, along with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and the National Association of Health Workers, had issued a seven-day ultimatum on June 13. However, the deadline lapsed on June 20 with no concrete response from the authorities.
The labour unions are now preparing for a large-scale demonstration and have formally notified both the FCT Administration and security agencies of their intentions.
Knabayi also criticized the abrupt suspension of the N70,000 minimum wage introduced in May, noting that no explanation has been given for the reversal.
“It is truly unfortunate that nothing has been done to resolve the lingering welfare crisis in the FCT area councils,” he added.
