The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has directed all its workers to resume duties immediately across all secretariats, departments and agencies, following a court order suspending the ongoing industrial action that has disrupted public services in Abuja for over a week.
The directive was contained in an official circular issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, FCTA, dated Tuesday, January 27, 2026, and signed by the Acting Head of the Civil Service of the FCT, Nancy Sabanti Nathan.
In the circular, the FCTA said the decision followed an order by Justice E. D. Suilbim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which ruled on Tuesday that the strike action embarked upon by staff of the FCT Administration, as declared by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), should be suspended with immediate effect.
“Following the Court Order by the Honourable Justice E. D. Suilbim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria today, Tuesday 27th January, 2026, that the ongoing strike action by the staff of the FCT Administration, as declared by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), should be suspended forthwith,” the circular read.
“Accordingly, all staff are to resume duties immediately at their various duty posts.”
The circular, which was addressed to secretaries, permanent secretaries, coordinators, and heads of parastatals and agencies within the FCTA, further directed management of all government offices to ensure strict compliance with the order.
“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,” it stated.
The Acting Head of Service also instructed that the circular’s contents be brought to the attention of all workers without delay.
“Please, bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all concerned for immediate compliance,” the statement added.
The directive came amid heightened tension within the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and other FCTA departments, following protests by workers and the Nigeria Labour Congress at the National Industrial Court, where demonstrators demanded improved welfare conditions and the removal of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The strike, which affected offices, public utilities, and service delivery across the nation’s capital, drew strong reactions from the FCT Minister, who accused unnamed politicians and senior civil servants of hijacking the industrial action for political purposes.
