Local government staff in Gwagwalada Area Council have resumed duties after a three-month strike, commending Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, for mediating an end to the industrial dispute.
The strike, led by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), began in March over unpaid minimum wage arrears and welfare issues. It was formally suspended on Monday, following discussions and a communique issued by the union’s FCT leadership.
During visits by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to the Gwagwalada council secretariat on Wednesday, attendance remained low, although several staff members confirmed they had returned in compliance with union directives.
Mr Solomon Adejoh, an employee, described the strike as deeply disruptive to council operations. “It has not been easy staying idle at home for three months,” he said. “Council chairmen must see prompt wage payment as a duty to staff, not a favour.”
He stressed the need to quickly settle remaining arrears, noting the rising cost of living in the country.
Mrs Theresa Idawoji, another worker, expressed cautious optimism. “We hope with the minister’s involvement, the arrears will finally be paid,” she said. “Strikes are not what workers desire, but they sometimes become necessary when dialogue fails.”
Idawoji warned that the three-month work stoppage had affected revenue collection and service delivery, adding: “No economy can thrive with repeated strikes. Leaders should find lasting solutions rather than reacting only when workers down tools.”
Mr Abdulhamid Adamu echoed her concerns, urging council leaders to fully honour commitments made to NULGE to avoid a repeat of industrial action.
The end of the strike follows broader appeals from FCT stakeholders and is seen as an important step towards stabilising local government operations in Nigeria’s capital region.
