The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to shut down Abuja after July 3 if the FCT Administration (FCTA) fails to resolve ongoing industrial disputes affecting area council workers.
The labour union said the planned protest would be aimed at forcing authorities to address several unresolved welfare concerns, which have led to prolonged strikes across the six area councils.
The NLC attributed its decision to delay the protest to President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing project inaugurations in the FCT, scheduled to conclude on July 3.
“We had to extend the ultimatum because of Tinubu’s movements to inaugurate the FCT-executed project,” Knabayi said. “Members of the union will take over the streets of Abuja as soon as Tinubu concludes the inauguration.”
The industrial dispute has already paralyzed operations in primary health centres, public schools, and area council secretariats.
The unions involved, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, and the National Association of Health Workers, are demanding payment of outstanding minimum wage arrears, a 40 percent peculiar allowance, and implementation of previously agreed salary increases of 25 and 35 percent.
They are also calling for enforcement of a N35,000 wage award promised by the Federal Government.
A seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Administration on June 13 expired on June 20 without any resolution, prompting plans for large-scale mobilisation. The unions described the situation as unacceptable and accused council chairmen of failing to make genuine efforts to resolve the crisis despite repeated appeals.
The NLC also criticised the sudden suspension of the N70,000 minimum wage implementation, which began in May but was halted in June without explanation.
It confirmed that both the FCT Administration and security agencies have been notified of the planned protest, describing it as a final warning to avert further breakdown in essential services.