ABUJA, NIGERIA — The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has ordered workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) to immediately suspend their ongoing industrial action. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, comes after an interlocutory injunction was filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration.
The Legal Ruling
Presiding Judge, Justice E.D. Subilim, ruled that while the matter constitutes a trade dispute, the right of workers to strike is “not absolute.” The court emphasized that once a dispute has been officially referred to the National Industrial Court for adjudication, all industrial actions must cease to prevent a resort to “self-help.”
“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the defendants and their representatives from further embarking on any industrial action against the claimant,” Justice Subilim stated. “The order shall remain in force pending the determination of this suit.”
The court has adjourned the matter until March 23, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive suit.
Background: Why are FCT Workers Striking?
The strike, which began on January 19, 2026, has paralyzed operations across major government offices in the capital, including the FCTA Secretariat. The workers, led by JUAC Chairman Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Umar Saleh, cited several unresolved welfare grievances:
- Unpaid Salaries: Allegations of a five-month backlog of unpaid wages.
- Promotion Arrears: Long-standing arrears and entitlements dating back several years.
- Working Conditions: Poor infrastructure and lack of essential working tools.
Wike’s Stance and Union Reaction
Minister Nyesom Wike’s legal team, led by James Onoja (SAN), argued that JUAC is an “illegal body” not recognized under the Trade Union Act, making the strike unlawful. Conversely, defense counsel Maxwell Opara argued that the Minister should focus on mediation rather than “intimidating workers” through the court system.
Despite the court order, tensions remain high as the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) had recently directed its members to join the strike in solidarity, further complicating the administration’s attempt to restore normalcy.
