The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has intervened in the ongoing labour dispute in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ordering workers to suspend their strike action following an interlocutory injunction obtained by the FCT Administration.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday in Abuja, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria granted the application filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alongside the Federal Capital Territory Administration, compelling workers under the Joint Union Action Committee to immediately halt their industrial action.
The court’s decision effectively pauses the strike pending the determination of the substantive suit, marking a critical moment in the standoff between the FCT government and organised labour in the nation’s capital.
How the Legal Dispute Reached the Court
The FCT Administration had approached the court in suit number NICN/ABJ/17/2026, naming the Chairman of the Joint Union Action Committee, Rifkatu Iortyer, and its Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, as defendants.
The claimants sought an order restraining the union leaders, their members, and agents from embarking on or continuing any form of industrial action, including strikes, picketing, or lockouts, while the dispute remained before the court.
According to court filings, the FCT authorities argued that the continued strike was unlawful once the dispute had been formally referred to the National Industrial Court for adjudication.
Court’s Ruling: Right to Strike Is Not Absolute
Delivering the ruling, Justice E. D. Subilim acknowledged that the matter before the court qualified as a trade dispute and that the legal requirements for an industrial dispute had been met. However, he emphasized that workers’ right to strike is not unlimited under Nigerian labour law.
The judge held that once a trade dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court, workers are legally prohibited from embarking on or continuing strike action until the court resolves the matter.
Justice Subilim ruled that where a strike is already ongoing at the time of referral, it must cease immediately and remain suspended pending the final determination of the case.
“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the defendants and their representatives from further embarking on any industrial action against the claimant,” the judge said.
He added that the order would remain in force until the substantive suit is concluded.
Immediate Impact on FCT Workers
The ruling is expected to have immediate consequences for public services in Abuja, where the strike had disrupted administrative activities across several departments. With the injunction now in place, workers are legally required to return to work, while union leaders risk contempt proceedings if the order is violated.
For the FCT Administration, the decision strengthens its position in enforcing continuity of government services while the legal process runs its course.
Legal Context: What the Law Says
Under Nigeria’s labour framework, industrial actions are regulated to balance workers’ rights with public interest. While unions are entitled to strike after following due process, the law restricts such actions once a dispute enters formal adjudication at the National Industrial Court.
Legal experts note that the court’s ruling aligns with established precedent, which prioritises dispute resolution through judicial mechanisms over prolonged industrial shutdowns—especially in essential public services.
Key Implications
- Labour Relations: The ruling reinforces judicial authority over labour disputes once they are before the National Industrial Court.
- Union Strategy: Labour unions may need to reassess the timing and sustainability of strike actions when legal proceedings are initiated.
- Public Services: The injunction reduces the risk of prolonged disruption to governance and service delivery in the FCT.
- Precedent Setting: The case could shape how future public-sector strikes are managed when governments opt for legal intervention.
What Happens Next
With the interlocutory injunction now in force, attention shifts to the substantive hearing of the case. The court will determine whether the FCT Administration’s claims are valid and what final orders, if any, should be made regarding the dispute.
Until then, workers under the Joint Union Action Committee are legally barred from resuming strike action. Any breach of the court order could attract sanctions.
As the case unfolds, the outcome may redefine the balance between workers’ collective action and government reliance on the courts to resolve labour disputes—particularly in politically sensitive spaces like the Federal Capital Territory.
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