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Local government

CDWR Condemns FCT Minister and Area Council Chairmen Over Failure to Address Workers' Demands

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

CDWR, a rights organization, has expressed solidarity with striking workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including public primary school teachers, health workers, and local government staff who have been on indefinite strike since March 24, 2025. The workers, under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), are demanding immediate implementation of the new minimum wage and payment of outstanding arrears. The strike has paralyzed critical services, leaving communities without healthcare and thousands of pupils out of school.

Key Takeaways:

  • CDWR has condemned FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the six Area Council Chairmen for their failure to address the demands of striking workers, who have been on indefinite strike since March 24, 2025.
  • The workers are demanding immediate implementation of the new minimum wage and payment of outstanding arrears, with many communities relying on primary health centers for healthcare services.
  • The prolonged strike has resulted in access to healthcare services being unavailable, paralyzing critical services and leaving communities without healthcare and thousands of pupils out of school.
  • CDWR criticized the FCT administration for prioritizing elite projects, such as the N39 billion renovation of the International Conference Centre, renamed after President Bola Tinubu.
  • The group accused the Area Council Chairmen of hypocrisy, saying they receive humongous salaries and allowances while workers suffer.
  • CDWR fully endorsed a three-day mass protest set to begin Monday and urged the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to mobilize wider union participation.

Statistics:

  • The strike has lasted for 64 days as of April 28, 2025 (from March 24, 2024 to April 27, 2025).
  • The FCT government has spent N39 billion on the renovation of the International Conference Centre, renamed after President Bola Tinubu.
  • The Area Council Chairmen have received humongous salaries and allowances while workers suffer, according to CDWR.
  • The strike has paralysed critical services, leaving communities without healthcare and thousands of pupils out of school.
  • The FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has supported the strike and is expected to mobilize wider union participation.

Sources:

  • CDWR statement released by Adaramoye Michael Lenin
  • Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT)
  • Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE)
  • National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM)
  • The Guardian Newspaper, 2025

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