The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Abuja chapter, has announced plans to stage a massive shutdown of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following the conclusion of President Bola Tinubu’s project inaugurations on July 3. This decisive move, according to the NLC, is aimed at forcing the FCT Administration and area council chairmen to address the worsening plight of local government workers.
Speaking in an interview, NLC Chairman Dr. Stephen Knabayi revealed that essential public services, particularly in the areas of primary healthcare and education have been severely disrupted due to the government’s failure to meet basic obligations to council workers. He described the current state of affairs as “unfortunate” and accused area council chairmen of ignoring repeated warnings from the union.
Knabayi disclosed that the union had earlier issued a one-week ultimatum on June 13 to the FCT Administration to resolve outstanding issues affecting teachers, health workers, and other council staff. However, the deadline lapsed on June 20 without any meaningful response, prompting the union to intensify its mobilization efforts.
Out of respect for President Tinubu’s ongoing second anniversary project inaugurations, the NLC opted to delay its protest plans. But according to Knabayi, once the ceremonies conclude, union members will take to the streets in full force. He confirmed that the FCT Administration and relevant security agencies have already been notified about the planned protests.
“What we’re dealing with is not just bureaucratic negligence, it’s the systemic undermining of the livelihoods of public servants,” Knabayi said. He noted that while there was a short-lived implementation of a new minimum wage in May, payments were mysteriously halted the following month without explanation.
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He further criticized area council chairmen for allegedly diverting public funds to political preparations for the 2026 elections while workers continue to suffer unpaid wages and neglect. He urged FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to step in more forcefully to hold the council leaders accountable.
Wike, who has previously intervened by releasing ₦4.1 billion to support wage payments, has maintained that primary school teachers and healthcare workers report directly to area councils, not the central FCT Administration. Despite his efforts, Knabayi insists that more must be done to ensure worker welfare is treated as a priority, not a political afterthought.
With tensions rising and the labour movement drawing a hard line, Abuja may soon face significant disruptions unless immediate action is taken to resolve the crisis. The coming days after Tinubu’s high-profile project inaugurations could mark a turning point in the labour-government standoff that has simmered beneath the surface for months.
