The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has brokered a late-night truce with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), restoring normalcy after days of labour unrest that disrupted services.
The decision followed extensive negotiations that addressed workers’ grievances, secured firm assurances from the FCT administration, and produced binding commitments aimed at rebuilding trust between organised labour and management.
The conciliatory meeting was held in Abuja on Monday night and stretched into the early hours of Tuesday, according to a joint statement released by organised labour.
In attendance were Wike; the Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo respectively; as well as the secretaries of both labour centres and other key stakeholders.
According to organised labour, all complaints raised by members of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) were exhaustively discussed and resolved during the talks.
It added that Wike pledged continued dialogue and mutual respect in engagements with workers, while also guaranteeing that no employee would face sanctions or victimisation arising from participation in the strike.
In addition, labour leaders confirmed that all pending cases filed at the National Industrial Court in connection with the dispute would be withdrawn immediately, a move described as crucial to restoring industrial harmony.
Consequently, the unions directed all affected workers to return to their duty posts without delay.
“The assurances given by the minister were clear and unequivocal, particularly on non-victimisation and sustained engagement,” the Trade Union Congress said in a joint circular with the Nigeria Labour Congress.
The unions added that the resolutions reached were based on good faith and a shared commitment to lasting peace within the FCT workforce.
The meeting, convened at the instance of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi, lasted several hours and involved frank deliberations between labour leaders and the FCT administration.
Following the outcome, JUAC, alongside affiliates of the NLC and TUC working under the FCT administration, was instructed to resume work immediately in the interest of stability and effective public service delivery.
