FCT Workers End Protest, Issue 21-Day Ultimatum as Wike Moves to Resolve Teachers’ Strike

Abuja — Workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have suspended their three-day protest, which began on June 30, but not without issuing a new 21-day ultimatum. The workers, led by JUAC President Rifkatu Iortyer, warned that unless their demands are fully met within the stipulated time, a new wave of industrial action would follow, intensifying pressure on the FCT administration.

The protest was triggered by a range of unresolved issues, including the non-payment of salaries, a prolonged strike by primary school teachers, and unpaid wage awards for health workers. Central to their demands was also the immediate dismissal of Emeka Ezeh, the Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission.

Iortyer, addressing the protesting crowd during the final day of the demonstration on July 2, accused the FCT management of ignoring the plight of its workers. She revealed that JUAC leaders had met with FCTA management but staged a walkout due to what she described as management’s unwillingness to directly address the workers, many of whom had braved harsh weather conditions to make their grievances known.

“We walked out. We told them we are not just representing ourselves; we are representing the thousands who are outside. If they can’t come talk to those of us standing in the rain, we won’t listen,” she said.

Citing the framework of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Iortyer announced a structured timeline for further action: a 21-day notice followed by a 14-day and then a 7-day warning, if the administration continues to disregard their concerns.

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Minister Wike Meets Stakeholders as Tension Builds

As pressure mounted, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike initiated talks with major stakeholders in the ongoing crisis. A pivotal meeting involving the chairmen of the six area councils, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) was convened to address the paralysing strike by primary school teachers.

NANS had initially planned a protest at the FCTA Secretariat but called it off after being summoned to a high-level meeting at the Department of State Services (DSS). According to a joint statement by NANS President Olushola Oladoja and Public Relations Officer Adeyemi Ajasa, the DSS meeting provided an in-depth discussion of the crisis’s root causes. Follow-up discussions were held with Muktar Betara, Chairman of the House Committee on the FCT, and eventually with Minister Wike.

During these discussions, Wike clarified that the FCT, being the only region in Nigeria operating full local government autonomy, had limited jurisdiction over teachers’ salaries. The minister emphasized that the financial obligations to teachers lie primarily with the area councils, not the FCT Administration directly.

To mitigate the crisis, Wike proposed a bailout package, offering to shoulder 60% of the backlog of salaries while urging the six area councils to cover the remaining 40%. However, when the councils reportedly failed to comply, the minister responded by withholding their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for May and June.

“The IGR was withheld to compel compliance from the area councils and ensure that the remaining 40% of the outstanding payments to teachers could be settled,” Wike explained, according to the NANS statement.

NANS confirmed that the withheld IGR funds are expected to be released before the week ends and will be used specifically for clearing the salary arrears. As a result of this assurance, the student body suspended its planned protest but emphasized that it would closely monitor the implementation of the agreements.

Hope on the Horizon Amid Lingering Uncertainty

Though the immediate crisis appears to be stabilizing with Wike’s intervention and JUAC’s temporary retreat, the situation remains fragile. The new 21-day ultimatum set by the workers has created a ticking clock for the FCTA to deliver on its promises. The involvement of multiple stakeholders, including unions, student representatives, and lawmakers, underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency for tangible solutions.

As Abuja continues to grapple with these labor and education-related challenges, the coming weeks will determine whether the FCT administration can restore normalcy — or whether another round of unrest is on the horizon.