*Why Minister Caved In To Workers’ Demands
*Staff Members React To Promotions
By Felix Durumbah, Abuja
Apparently reeling from the effects of the now suspended 16-day indefinite strike embarked upon by workers of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), authorities of the Administration have swiftly moved to resolve the welfare and career progression demands of the staff members,which prompted the industrial action in the first place.
The strike paralyzed activities in not just the office of FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, but in all FCTA’s Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs).
With the constitutional provision that FCT be treated as if it were a state, its Secretariats, headed by Mandate Secretaries, are equivalent to Ministries of state governments.
The backing given to FCTA workers’ umbrella body, Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) — which spearheaded the strike –, by both the national leaderships of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the latter’s move to widen participation in the strike through involving all affiliate unions of Organized Labour in what would have amounted to an avoidable total shutdown of the nation’s economy, dependable sources told People&Politics, forced the Minister into agreeing to negotiate directly with the workers -clearly against his earlier hardline stance.
Consequently, he agreed to implement the demands of the staff members, with NLC and TUC subsequently issuing a joint press statement last Tuesday after the about three hours of nighttime talks, detailing what were agreed upon and directing the workers to resume work immediately.
Arising from the talks, the FCT Civil Service Commission has now issued a circular notifying workers of an impending promotion exercise -one of the unheeded-to core demands of the employees in the 18-point list submitted to Wike and FCTA ahead of the strike.
The circular, a copy of which was obtained by People&Politics, and titled, in all capital letters format, ‘Conduct of Year 2025 And Year 2026 Promotion Exercises’, was signed by Chairman of the commission, Emeka Eze, Wike’s appointee.
In the two-page, five-paragraph circular, dated 2 February 2026, referenced FCT/ CSC/COMM/S.033/Vol.1, copied,among others, to Chief of Staff to the Minister, FCT Head of Service, all Mandate Secretaries, the commission sought to explain the circumstances behind the late promotion exercise.
It stated: “At the inception of the FCT Civil Service Commission in March, 2024, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had a backlog of uncleared promotion exercises for the year 2023 and the year 2024. With the strong support received from the Hon. Minister, FCT, and the FCTA Management staff, the Commission was able to clear the backlog of promotions exercises for 2023 and 2024 by the end of last year.”
However, JUAC had disputed this, arguing that the said 2023 and 2024 exercises had their promotion examinations allegedly skewed in such manner that of the about 7000 who wrote the examination, only a small fraction was passed in a bid, workers further alleged, primed at depriving the majority of being paid promotion arrears.
The commission added: “For the year 2026, the Commission has concluded plans to conduct the 2025 and 2026 promotion exercises in April and September, 2026. Already, a letter has been sent to the Head of Service requesting for the vacancy positions of 2025 and the projected ones for 2026. As soon as the vacancy positions are released, the Commission will issue a Call Circular to commence the activities for the 2025 promotion exercise for all staff who are eligible and due including Health professionals to be appointed as Directors in their respective fields.
“This circular seeks to reassure the entire FCTA workforce that the FCT Civil Service Commission is determined to execute its core mandate of Appointment, Promotion and Discipline in line with its enabling Act. The Commission is poised to vacating its backlogs of promotion exercises and ensure that henceforth, deserving Civil Servants in the FCTA are promoted as and when due.”
The perceptibly conciliatory tone was welcomed by workers interviewed by People&Politics on the matter.
A staff member, who identified himself simply as Danladi, thumbed up God Almighty and JUAC for the new turn of events in the current FCTA.
He said: “Why did the Administration allow things get to this extent before doing the right thing?
“So, if we hadn’t gone on strike, they wouldn’t have given us our promotion right, which is clearly spelt out in the PSR (Public Service Rules) handbook, our grund norm?
“All the same, I thank God Almighty and JUAC for what is happening now. Once any government carries workers along,treats them well, it becomes easy to run your government. Doing things by force solves nothing. Just keep workers happy. Each worker,even the unmarried ones, takes care of minimum three family members.”
A female staff member, Maimuna, said:”I’m happy over the imminent promotion. My career cannot stagnate. But let’s see how it turns out.
“However, the Administration should know that it’s not just lack of, or delayed, promotions that is our demand; there are many others. We need urgent action fast.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: FCT Minister Nyesom Wike (4th right) with labour leaders after the nighttime meeting.
