NLC Threatens To Shut Down Abuja Following Tinubu’s Project Inaugurations

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to shut down Abuja following President Bola Tinubu’s project inauguration tour, scheduled to conclude on July 3.

The warning was issued by FCT NLC Chairman, Dr. Stephen Knabayi, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday. He said the protest was aimed at drawing urgent attention to the prolonged strike by area council workers, which has crippled essential services.

NAN reports that primary health care centers remain closed, public primary school teachers are at home, and secretariats in the six area councils have been largely abandoned by workers.

The strike action, led by primary school teachers and other local government staff, stems from the non-payment of the minimum wage and a 40% peculiar allowance. Other outstanding issues include the non-implementation of 25% and 35% salary increases and the unpaid N35,000 wage award.

Describing the situation as “very unfortunate,” Knabayi stated that the inaction of the area council chairmen had forced the union to escalate its demands.

He recalled that a seven-day ultimatum had been issued on June 13 by a coalition of unions—including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and the National Association of Health Workers—demanding that the FCT Administration address workers’ grievances. That ultimatum expired on June 20 without any action taken.

Knabayi explained that the union had delayed further protest to avoid disrupting President Tinubu’s scheduled activities in the FCT.

“We had to extend the ultimatum because of Tinubu’s movements to inaugurate the FCT-executed projects,” he said.

“Members of the union will take over the streets of Abuja as soon as Tinubu concludes the inaugurations, hopefully on July 3.”

He added that security agencies and the FCT Administration had already been notified of the planned protest.

“We are not happy, and it is not going to be a small thing if they don’t do the needful,” he warned.

Knabayi also expressed frustration over the brief implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage, which reportedly began in May but was halted the following month without explanation.

“Like, you know, strike or protest is always the last option, but we were left with no other option,” he said.

He alleged that area council chairmen were diverting funds toward preparations for the upcoming February 2026 FCT Area Council elections, funds that he said could have resolved the workers’ outstanding entitlements.

He appealed to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to take firmer steps in compelling the council chairmen to meet their obligations.

NAN recalls that Wike has made previous attempts to resolve the dispute, including the recent release of ₦4.1 billion to support payment of the minimum wage. The minister has also clarified that primary school teachers and health workers fall under the jurisdiction of the area councils, not the FCT Administration.

During a protest on April 24, NUT Chairman in the FCT, Mr. Abdullahi Shafa, acknowledged Wike’s efforts, particularly the ₦4.1 billion intervention.

Meanwhile, on May 13, the chairmen of the six area councils appealed to the striking workers to return to duty. Mr. John Gabaya, Secretary of the FCT chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), made a specific appeal to teachers, urging them to consider the plight of pupils while dialogue continues.

— NAN