The labor crisis in the nation’s capital reached a fever pitch today as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued a defiant “Reinforcement Directive,” ordering all affiliate unions to ignore a fresh court ruling and escalate industrial action across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ignoring the highly controversial Tuesday morning ruling by the National Industrial Court ordering an immediate suspension of the strike, the NLC has doubled down, instructing workers to “intensify and sustain” the shutdown until every demand is met
The situation has turned into a high-stakes standoff between the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and organized labor.
While the court has labeled the strike “self-help” and ordered workers back to their posts, the NLC’s latest memo describes the administration’s actions as a “toxic” assault on worker dignity
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) therefore has officially reinforced its directive for all affiliate unions within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to intensify their ongoing industrial action.
In a circular dated January 27, 2026, the Congress expressed firm resolve to sustain the struggle until the demands of workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) are fully met.
The directive, signed by the Acting General Secretary, Comrade Benson Upah, signals a deepening of the rift between the organized labor and the FCTA over unresolved welfare issues.
