Labour unions and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) reached a late-night agreement on Monday to suspend the ongoing strike by Abuja workers, following days of shutdown across public offices, schools, and hospitals.
The truce was reached after a meeting that stretched into the early hours, with both sides agreeing to pause the industrial action while talks continue. Labour leaders said the suspension was conditional, stressing that workers would return to work only if agreed steps on outstanding salary issues are followed through.
Despite the announcement, several public schools and hospitals in the FCT remained shut on Tuesday, as many workers stayed away from their posts. Reports from across Abuja showed slow or incomplete resumption, with unions citing deep distrust after repeated promises in the past that failed to stop salary delays.
The strike was triggered by what workers describe as routine salary delays and inconsistent payments. Union leaders say wages are often owed for months, paid in parts, or released without clear explanations, making it difficult for workers to plan their lives. For many employees, the issue is not just late payment but the uncertainty that has become part of their jobs.
The standoff also exposed growing anger over how the government has handled the crisis. Workers accuse the FCTA under Minister Nyesom Wike of responding with threats and court actions instead of fixing the payroll system. In the days leading up to the truce, officials sought legal orders against the strike, further hardening positions on both sides.
For workers, the impact has been severe. Abuja is one of the most expensive cities in the country, and delayed salaries mean missed rent, unpaid school fees, mounting debt, and reliance on borrowing to survive. Many say they are tired of being asked to resume work based on promises that have repeatedly been broken.
Labour leaders warned that the suspension does not mean the crisis is over. They said the strike could return if agreements reached during the talks are not implemented quickly and fully.
While the government says services will gradually resume, the slow return to work reflects a deeper problem of trust. Until salary payments become regular and predictable, many workers say strikes will remain their only leverage in a system where being paid on time is still treated as negotiable.
