NLC and NUT call Wike's "no work, no pay" order illegal as the Abuja strike continues
The Federal Capital Territory branches of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Nigeria Union of Teachers on Monday rejected Minister Nyesom Wike's order that striking workers should not be paid (Punch, Vanguard, BusinessDay, Premium Times). Premium Times said Wike told the area council chairpersons on Friday to enforce it. The unions cited Section 40 of the Constitution, the Trade Unions Act and ILO Conventions 87, 98 and 151 (Vanguard). Punch reported a rescheduled promotion exam for 5,990 education officers. ICIR reported that Wike called the strike politically motivated. DailyDrop has not seen the unions' October demands.
Schools and health services in the capital's area councils depend on these workers. A fight over pay during a strike can lengthen it and spread to other unions.
Parents in Abuja should check with their school before sending children, and patients should call the clinic first. Nobody outside the FCT is directly affected.
The minister's side says workers in council posts fall under the councils and must not be paid for days not worked.
The unions say workers have a constitutional right to strike and that withholding pay is unlawful.
Watch whether any salaries are actually withheld, because that would move the dispute to the courts. Until the demands are published, it is hard to judge who is right.
DailyDrop Nigeria edition No. 9 · Morning · TUE., OCT. 13, 2026