FCTA/FCDA Secretariat Completely Shut Down as Workers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Poor Conditions

By Emmanuel Kwada 

Administrative operations across the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) ground to a complete halt this morning as the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) kicked off an indefinite nationwide strike demanding urgent improvements in working conditions.

From as early as 7:00 a.m., the main gates of the FCTA/FCDA Secretariat complex in Abuja were firmly locked and barricaded, effectively barring both staff and visitors from entering the premises.

A tour of the area by our correspondent confirmed that virtually all agencies housed within the secretariat remained closed, with no signs of normal administrative activity.

The dramatic shutdown followed a strongly worded circular issued by JUAC leadership late Sunday night, titled “Code: Remain at Home.” The notice directed all workers to stay away from their duty posts in full compliance with the industrial action.

In the statement, JUAC passionately appealed to staff members to support the union’s efforts, describing the strike as a necessary step in the “agitations for better working conditions in the FCTA.”

“By this notice, all staff are advised to stay at home as the strike action declared by JUAC commences on Monday, January 19, 2026. Do not come to work because the JUAC task force will be on the ground to ensure compliance.”

A JUAC task force has reportedly been deployed across the secretariat to monitor and enforce total compliance with the directive.

As of the time of this report, the FCTA management had yet to issue any official statement or response to the ongoing strike. The prolonged closure has sparked growing concerns among residents and stakeholders about potential widespread disruptions to critical administrative services, land administration, urban planning approvals, and other essential functions in the Federal Capital Territory.

The indefinite nature of the strike has raised the stakes, leaving many wondering how long the impasse will last and what it will take to restore normalcy to the nerve center of Abuja’s administration. Further developments are awaited as negotiations — or the lack thereof — unfold.