Abuja, Nigeria – 17 May 2025
The indefinite strike by workers in the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has stretched into its eighth week, with no clear resolution in sight. What began on March 24 as a protest over the non-implementation of the national minimum wage has grown into a defining test of Nigeria’s labour movement and the capacity of trade unions to enforce workers’ rights.
The strike action is being driven by members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN). These workers have shut down primary schools and primary healthcare centres across Abuja, demanding the full implementation of the ₦30,000 minimum wage and payment of arrears and other pending entitlements.
This is not the first time the workers have downed tools. Similar strikes were suspended in October, December, and February, following promises and agreements with FCT authorities. Most notably, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year committed the council chairmen to pay the minimum wage starting January 2025, along with five months’ arrears from August to December 2024. However, these commitments were never fulfilled.
Although some payments have reportedly been made — including ₦70,000 paid to secondary school teachers in December and workers in three area councils in early May — union leaders insist that the strike will continue. “The payment of the new wage doesn’t mean that the union will call off or suspend its strike because there are other entitlements which are still pending,” said a NULGE representative. These include eight months’ arrears and other outstanding wage awards.
On April 24, union members staged a protest outside the office of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of ignoring repeated calls to ensure compliance by the area council chairmen. “Wike appears to be insensitive to appeals to his conscience,” said Dr. Izielen Agbon of Socialist Labour, one of the groups supporting the strike. “It is only robust action by the wider trade union movement that will make him act.”
The implications of this strike go beyond Abuja. According to NULGE, at least 20 other states have also failed to implement the minimum wage. Labour advocates argue that a decisive victory in Abuja could galvanize action nationwide, while a loss could embolden more state governments to flout the law.
Socialist Labour has called on other trade union branches within and beyond Abuja to rise in support. “This strike can still be completely victorious with solidarity actions from other trade unionists,” said Dr. James Uanhoro of the group. “We appeal to all trade union branches in Abuja to discuss this issue, to send messages of support and to consider how they can deliver the essential solidarity action for this strike to win.”
As the standoff continues, all eyes are on the broader labour movement to see whether they will seize the moment or let it slip by. For many workers across the country, the outcome in Abuja could well shape the future of wage justice in Nigeria.
