The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) directs all workers to resume duty on Tuesday, January 28, 2026, following the suspension of the ongoing strike. The Head of Service also instructs Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments and Agencies to strictly maintain staff attendance registers across all offices.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the directive follows a ruling of the National Industrial Court, which the FCTA says affirms the need for an immediate return to work to restore essential services in Abuja and its satellite towns.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike warns that any worker who fails to resume duty will face disciplinary action. Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, the minister says the government will enforce existing rules without hesitation and will not tolerate actions that disrupt public services or defy lawful orders.
Wike also cautions against protests or attempts to block access to the FCTA Secretariat, Mediaplusng.com reports. He says security agencies have clear instructions to maintain order and ensure free movement within government facilities, stressing that the law will take its full course against any violation.
The minister insists that the administration has engaged extensively with labour unions and addressed the majority of their demands. He notes that out of 14 issues raised by the workers, the government has resolved 10, questioning the basis for continued industrial action.
Wike adds that the FCTA management and security agencies have repeatedly opened dialogue with union leaders but achieved no breakthrough. He claims the situation goes beyond welfare demands and suggests there may be other underlying interests driving the strike.
The FCTA Head of Service reiterates that attendance registers will be used to monitor compliance and ensure accountability across ministries, departments, and agencies. Officials are directed to submit daily reports on staff resumption and participation.
Government sources say the resumption order aims to stabilize essential services, including healthcare, sanitation, education, and administrative operations that have been disrupted by the strike.
Labour unions had earlier embarked on the industrial action over unpaid salaries, promotion arrears, and working conditions. However, the FCTA maintains that progress has been made and that continued absence from work is no longer justified.
The administration urges workers to return peacefully and engage through established channels to resolve outstanding issues. It also assures residents of Abuja that measures are in place to keep public offices open and services running.
As enforcement begins, the FCTA says it remains committed to workers’ welfare while insisting on discipline, lawful conduct, and uninterrupted service delivery in the nation’s capital.
