Photo: Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister
Government workers in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Monday began a three-day protest over unpaid salaries, lack of overhead funding, and the prolonged strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The demonstration, led by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), also demanded the immediate removal of the FCT Civil Service Commission Chairman, Emeka Ezeh.
The workers, drawn from various unions affiliated with JUAC, sealed off the FCT Minister’s office, preventing access and halting operations. This move marked a sharp escalation in tensions between civil servants and the administration of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
At the heart of the protest are months of unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, hazard allowance arrears, and the over 100-day strike by FCT primary school teachers. Protesters also raised concerns about inconsistent salary payments and poor working conditions.
“We can’t continue to work without overhead allocations. Offices can’t function without basic supplies. Even retirees have been denied promotions they earned before leaving service,” said JUAC President Rifkatu Iortyer during the protest.
She also criticised the halting of salaries for auxiliary staff such as cemetery and mortuary workers, alleging the directive came from Chairman Emeka Ezeh without due process or notice.
“Stopping people’s salaries suddenly in this economy is inhumane. These workers clean up our cities and bury the dead, and now they are left with nothing,” she added.
Also speaking at the protest, FCT Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman Audu Akogwu condemned what he called a complete collapse of administrative support for workers. He said many civil servants now purchase their own stationery to do basic tasks, and that there has been no promotion or training since 2023.
“Productivity is dead in FCTA. No overhead. No tools. No growth. How can workers survive like this?” Akogwu asked.
He also questioned the Minister’s inability to ensure local council chairmen pay the striking teachers, despite reported bailout funds provided by the federal government.
“As a former governor of Rivers State, Wike controlled local governments. Why can’t he enforce accountability in Abuja’s area councils?” he said.
Akogwu warned that the current protest is only a “first warning”. If no action is taken by July 2, he said all affiliate unions under the TUC would mobilise to completely shut down government offices across the FCT.
As of press time, there has been no official response from the FCT Minister or the Civil Service Commission regarding the workers’ demands.
