Workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have issued a seven-day ultimatum to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over unresolved pay, pension, and promotion disputes, warning that industrial action may follow if their demands are not addressed.

The notice was issued by the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), FCT Administration, and took effect from January 7, 2026, according to a statement dated January 8 and signed by JUAC President Comrade Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Comrade Abdullahi Umar Saleh. Copies of the ultimatum were also sent to the FCT Minister of State, Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Head of Service, and Director of Security Services.

JUAC cited management’s repeated failure to address their grievances despite prior engagements and correspondence. Key demands include:

• Release of approved overhead costs withheld for six months in 2025.
• Payment of five months’ wage award arrears.
• Rectification of defective promotion processes, with a pass rate of just 22.5%.
• Remittance of outstanding pension contributions to workers’ Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) since May 2025 and National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions.
• Payment of enforcement officers, street sweepers, and cleansers under the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and Satellite Development Services (SDS).
• Settlement of 13 months’ hazard allowance and 22 months’ rural allowance for health workers.
• Addressing staff intimidation, harassment, and poor working conditions.

The union also criticized the extension of tenure for retired directors and permanent secretaries, centralization of salary preparation, and failure to observe financial autonomy for department heads. Additionally, JUAC protested the revocation of a garden previously allocated to the union in 2023 and the lack of a full-fledged department for the FCDA information office.

JUAC confirmed that the ultimatum was issued in accordance with labour laws and industrial relations procedures. Affiliate unions have been instructed to sensitise members and remain on high alert, preparing for potential strike action if the FCTA fails to respond positively within the seven-day window.

The union concluded by urging workers to remain united, law-abiding, and resolute in pursuit of fairness, justice, and improved welfare.