By Patrick Idowu
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the six area council chairmen are scheduled to meet with leaders of major labour unions on Thursday in a bid to resolve the prolonged strike by teachers, council workers, and health personnel in the FCT.
Sources within the unions confirmed to Abuja City Journal that leaders of the FCT chapters of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and the National Association of Nurses and Health Workers (NANAHW), received official invitations from the minister’s office through the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), state council.
A union leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the invitation: “Yes, a letter was conveyed on Monday inviting the union leaders to a meeting with the Minister and council chairmen to deliberate on the lingering strike.”
Chairman of the FCT wing of the NUT, Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Shafas, also confirmed the meeting, stating, “It is true, we will be meeting with the Minister and the six area council chairmen on Thursday, but I can’t say much for now until after the meeting.”
The ongoing industrial action, which has lasted over three months, stems from the non-payment of salary arrears and other entitlements by the council chairmen.
The strike has disrupted primary education, healthcare services, and council operations across the FCT.
The situation has drawn growing concern from civil society groups, residents, and traditional leaders, who have called for urgent intervention to restore essential services in the area councils.