The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has directed all its employees to resume work immediately and announced the strict enforcement of a “No Work, No Pay” policy starting February 2, 2026.
This is because the administration dismissed the claims that an appeal could delay the return-to-work order.
The directive comes after the National Industrial Court (NIC) ordered the suspension of the strike called by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) and its affiliate unions on January 26, 2026.
According to a circular signed by the Acting Head of the Civil Service, Nancy Nathan, and addressed to all Mandate Secretaries, Coordinators, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), the Abuja Infrastructure Investment Centre (AIIC), the Satellite Town Development Department (STDD), Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Parastatals and Agencies, the strike, which began on January 19, 2026, has prompted urgent action by the FCTA to ensure continuity of public service.
The circular notes that while some parties have attempted to exploit the situation, the court’s restraining order remains valid and subsisting until formally set aside.
The circular clarified that an application for leave to appeal filed by the law firm of Femi Falana does not automatically stay the NIC’s order, emphasising that the court’s decision must be obeyed by all employees.
Employees were explicitly instructed to return to their various offices and resume their duties immediately. The FCTA administration highlighted that the minister remains open to addressing genuine grievances presented by workers, signalling willingness for reconciliation without compromising the rule of law.
“It has come to the knowledge of the Minister that some persons who do not mean well for the employees and the FCTA have resorted to exploiting the situation by asking workers not to resume work on the flimsy ground that the restraining order of the National Industrial Court has been appealed against to the Court of Appeal. As of today, the NIC has not issued any contrary order or granted a stay of execution of its order made on the 26th January, 2026. The same is still valid and subsisting until it is set aside.
“What the law firm of Femi Falana, SAN, filed is an application for leave to appeal simpliciter. Assuming there is even an appeal, that does not, on its own, without more, operate as a stay.
“To this end, workers are to return to their various offices immediately and attend to their duties and responsibilities for which they were employed. The Hon. minister is amenable to reconciliation and will attend to the genuine grievances presented by the workers,” The circular reads
In addition to mandating resumption of duties, the FCTA warned that any worker found absent without valid cause after February 2 would be subject to the “No Work, No Pay” policy.
The circular made it clear that this enforcement is not negotiable and applies uniformly across all departments and agencies.
Heads of departments and agencies have been tasked with ensuring full compliance with the directive, with instructions to communicate the contents of the circular to all staff. The FCTA stressed that leadership at all levels must play an active role in monitoring adherence to the order.
The administration described the circular as necessary to prevent further exploitation of the situation by individuals or groups seeking to disrupt public service operations.
It emphasised that adherence to the court order is a legal obligation, and attempts to delay compliance using technicalities will not be tolerated.
The FCTA, however, urged all employees to prioritise their responsibilities and warned that failure to comply would result in immediate sanctions under the new policy. The directive underscores the administration’s commitment to upholding law, order, and accountability in public service operations.
“Take notice that the FCTA administration shall strictly enforce the No Work No Pay policy with effect from 2nd February, 2026, against any worker found wanting or violating this directive.
“This directive is to be implemented by all Heads of Departments and Agencies of the FCTA. Please bring the content of the circular to all staff.” The circular reads in parts
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