Adamu Abdullahi
Union leaders have criticised the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over what they described as poor handling of staff welfare, calling for greater accountability and transparency in the disbursement of funds.
FCTA workers have repeatedly complained about unpaid arrears, a situation that triggered several protests and strikes in 2024 and 2025. The grievances cut across key departments, including education, health, and local government administration, with workers demanding the payment of salaries and allowances, as well as the full implementation of new wage structures.
Workers accuse the FCT Administration of failing to honour a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in December 2024, which provided for the phased implementation of the minimum wage and the payment of outstanding arrears. According to union sources, unresolved issues include months of unpaid salaries, unpaid hazard allowances for health workers, and arrears linked to the N70,000 minimum wage as well as the 25–35 per cent salary increase.
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Beyond salary-related concerns, staff have also complained about the lack of promotions since 2023, absence of training opportunities, and inadequate operational funds (overheads) to carry out daily official duties. Some workers said they have been forced to purchase basic office supplies with personal funds.
The implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s wage award for FCTA workers has also remained contentious. The Administration, led by FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike, is accused of owing workers five months’ arrears of the wage award, which was introduced to cushion the impact of the removal of petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023.
In October 2023, President Tinubu approved a N35,000 monthly provisional wage award for federal workers for an initial period of six months. However, a source within the FCTA, who requested anonymity, said staff members are “very frustrated” with the Administration’s handling of welfare matters, citing the unpaid wage award and other unresolved issues.
The source added that the situation contributed to the warning protest staged by FCTA workers between June 30 and July 2, 2025, during which they demanded improved welfare packages, regular payment of statutory overheads to departments, promotions, and the restoration of work incentives they said were in place before Minister Wike assumed office in 2023.
Following the protest, the Administration addressed some of the grievances, though only partially. For instance, instead of full payment of overheads, heads of departments reportedly receive 50 per cent, and even that is paid irregularly, with several months often separating payments.
The wage award remains unresolved, with workers alleging that five months’ arrears are still outstanding.
