By Our Correspondent

In an affort to force FCT workers on strike end the ongoing strike ,Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate enforcement of a “no work, no pay” policy against workers participating in the ongoing strike declared by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Wike, who described the industrial action as unnecessary, politically driven and unacceptable, said the FCT Administration would not be pressured through what he termed political blackmail.

The minister gave the directive on Friday after an executive meeting, where he said all issues raised by the labour union had already been addressed and were being implemented by the administration.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Wike directed the chairmen of the six Area Councils in the territory to ensure compliance with the policy, particularly among teachers and civil servants who fail to resume their duties.

“We want to state categorically and let it be known to the public: this so-called strike declaration is political, and we will not accept it. We will not accept it because there is no basis for anybody to call for a strike,” Wike said.

He maintained that the FCT Administration had no outstanding dispute with local government areas, local education authorities or primary schools.

According to him, major stakeholders in the education sector, including senior primary school teachers and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), had rejected the strike because the concerns being raised had already been resolved.

“The body of senior primary school teachers have said no, they cannot be party to this strike, that it is uncalled for. All the things they are talking about have been agreed and are being implemented, so why do we go on strike?” he said.

Wike explained that issues relating to promotion were already receiving attention, while matters concerning directors remained establishment issues beyond the authority of the FCT Administration to alter.

“I have directed the area councils to go back and call their teachers and civil servants. If anybody does this, we’ll implement ‘no work, no pay.’ Enough is enough; we can’t continue with this,” the minister stated.

The FCT Minister also accused the leadership of the NLC FCT Council of pursuing political interests, alleging that the union chairman previously contested an Area Council election under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He claimed the strike was being used as a tool to create instability in the territory ahead of future elections.

“If you ask who is the chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, he was a former Area Council candidate of the ADC in the last election,” Wike alleged.

He warned that anyone interested in partisan politics should leave union leadership positions to avoid politicising labour organisations.

“If you want to involve yourself in politics, you are free to do so, but excuse yourself from being the leadership of the union, so you don’t politicise it,” he added.

Meanwhile, Wike announced a fresh security crackdown on unauthorised commercial activities along the Gwagwalada-Asokoro axis of the FCT.

The minister said the administration had received reports of attempts by some individuals to establish illegal beer parlours, motor parks and other businesses without government approval.

“We have been told of some issues of security threats extending from certain areas of Gwagwalada to Asokoro, where some people are trying to open up beer parlour businesses, motor parks and all of that. There are no such approvals, and we will not allow that,” he warned.

He directed the Department of Development Control, working with relevant security agencies, to remove illegal structures and operators from the affected areas.

Wike said the move was aimed at preventing potential security challenges and maintaining order within the nation’s capital.

By Our Correspondent

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has said, if the federal government is committed to the plight of workers, it does not need to wait for a new minimum wage agreement before increasing the salaries of workers.

TUC President Festus Osifo who stated this at a press briefing with newsmen after the congress’s National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting in Abuja, said government could independently review workers’ salaries in response to the prevailing economic realities.

Osifo further disclosed that the congress had commenced preparations for negotiations on a new minimum wage, saying the process should begin about six months before the expiration of the current wage agreement in August 2027.

He noted that, based on the experience of the last minimum wage negotiation, which took about three to four months, the government should constitute a committee around February 2027 to commence discussions.

Osifo said, this would give the parties enough time to conclude negotiations by May or June, ahead of the expiration of the current minimum wage.

The TUC boss explained that the minimum wage was only a wage floor and that government could decide to pay workers above the statutory minimum without waiting for a new minimum wage law.

He said workers in several sectors, including banking, food and beverages, and oil and gas, were already earning substantially above the minimum wage.

The TUC president also urged the government to address the welfare of its workers immediately, particularly those on the lower levels of the federal payroll.

On the lingering dispute with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), Osifo gave the Federal Ministry of Health a few days to resolve outstanding issues contained in the communique that led to the suspension of the union’s strike.

He said TUC would write the Minister of Health to draw his attention to the unresolved issues and was also engaging its sister labour centre on the matter. Osifo warned that the two labour centres would intervene if the issues were not resolved following the latest engagements with the ministry.

The TUC president also called for increased funding for the fight against insecurity, saying persistent kidnappings and killings had affected farming, investment and economic activities across the country.

He said the government must prioritise the protection of lives and property, noting that citizens needed to be alive and secure to enjoy the benefits of infrastructure and other government projects.

On the economy, Osifo said the naira remained undervalued and urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen the currency, arguing that a stronger naira would reduce pressure on fuel, food and other commodities with foreign exchange components.

He also called for the revival of the textile industry, citing high energy and production costs, layoffs and declining employment in the sector.

Osifo urged the Ministry of Labour to enforce decent working conditions across workplaces and tackle excessive casualisation, poor remuneration and unsafe working environments.

On the 2027 general elections, he called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the electoral process was transparent, open and credible.

“We have mentioned several times that allowances do not need a minimum wage conversation. And even salaries, government on its own can actually push the salaries of workers up, even without a minimum wage conversation.

“Minimum wage is minimum. Government can decide to pay whatever it wants to take care of its employees. Employers can decide to do way above what is there at the minimum threshold.

“So, if the committee can be inaugurated in February, we can start work, so that by the end of May or June, we could have a new minimum wage.

“Government does not even need to wait for a new minimum wage Act to be signed before government will take care of its workers.”

“We are going to send a letter to the Minister of Health, draw his attention to that communique once again. By the time we draw his attention, we wait for his response.

“But it is when those issues are not resolved, because in the communique, it is stated that the two labour centres are going to intervene should there not be conclusions before the end of April.”

Apparenyly eorried by the living condition of teachers in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District in the 2027 election, Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife, on Monday pledged to champion stronger legislative and policy measures to improve the welfare, professional development and working conditions of Nigerian teachers if she returns to the red chambers of the National Assembly.

She made the pledge in a goodwill message to Nigerian teachers on the occasion of 2026 World Teachers’ Day 2026.

Ekwunife described teachers as indispensable builders of the nation whose contributions underpin virtually every profession and sector of society.
According to her, the annual celebration should go beyond commendation and serve as a reminder of the urgent need for sustained investment in the teaching profession.

The former lawmaker said, “This year’s World Teachers’ Day is being celebrated under the theme, “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures.

“The theme provides an opportunity to celebrate teachers while also reflecting on the challenges confronting the profession and the need to strengthen their welfare, dignity and professional capacity.

“Teachers perform responsibilities far beyond classroom instruction. They nurture talents, build character, identify potential and prepare young Nigerians for responsible citizenship and leadership.

“Our teachers therefore deserve more than applause; they deserve deliberate and sustained policy support.”

While assuring teachers that, if elected to represent Anambra Central in the Senate in 2027, she would advocate legislative and policy measures aimed at strengthening the teaching profession and improving the quality of education across Nigeria, Ekwunife identified improved welfare and working conditions, continuous professional development and retraining as areas that require legislative attention.

She also listed investment in educational infrastructure, improved teacher recruitment and retention, stronger recognition and reward systems for outstanding teachers.

The ex banker also pledged to advocate greater support for teacher education and research, as well as increased participation of teachers and education professionals in the formulation of policies affecting the education sector.

Ekwunife particularly called for greater attention to teachers serving in underserved communities, where shortages of qualified teachers and inadequate learning facilities continue to hamper the delivery of quality education.

She added, “Nigeria cannot build a strong education system without a motivated, properly trained and adequately supported teaching workforce.

“Governments at all levels, educational institutions, parents, communities and the private sector should move beyond annual celebrations and make teachers’ welfare and professional advancement a continuous national priority.”

Ekwunife who commended Nigerian teachers for their resilience and dedication, particularly those who continue to serve despite difficult working conditions, further hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and supporting the financing of the programme through recovered proceeds of crime, describing the initiative as a significant intervention in expanding access to tertiary education.

According to her, the programme was creating opportunities for Nigerian students who might otherwise struggle to finance higher education to acquire knowledge and skills and contribute meaningfully to national development.

She added, “Such investments also give greater meaning to the work of teachers, whose knowledge, guidance and dedication continue to shape the students benefiting from educational opportunities.

“When we strengthen the teacher, we strengthen the classroom; when we strengthen the classroom, we strengthen the child; and when we strengthen the child, we strengthen the nation.

“To every Nigerian teacher: thank you for your service, your sacrifice and your unwavering belief in the Nigerian child,”