A fresh wave of labour tension has erupted in Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Abaji/Yaba branches, in collaboration with the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), LEA Abaji, have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Executive Chairman over alleged non-remittance of statutory deductions and entitlements belonging to workers.
The unions reached the resolution during an emergency joint meeting held on 14th May, 2026, where they deliberated on what they described as the persistent failure to remit pension contributions, union dues, cooperative deductions, and loan repayments deducted directly from staff salaries from December 2025 to date.
According to the communique issued at the end of the meeting, the unions recalled an earlier correspondence dated 6th February, 2026, in which the leadership had formally raised concerns over the non-remittance of the funds. While acknowledging the payment of salaries and some outstanding arrears, the unions expressed dissatisfaction that no concrete action had been taken regarding the deducted entitlements.
They stressed that the deductions in question are not discretionary but statutory and are ordinarily expected to be remitted immediately after salary payments, as they directly affect staff welfare structures such as cooperatives, pension accounts, and loan schemes.
The unions further warned that the continued failure to remit the funds could trigger severe consequences, noting that cooperative societies among workers were already being weakened and risk total collapse if loan disbursements and financial obligations continue to be disrupted.
In a strongly worded resolution, the NUT Abaji/Yaba branches and NULGE LEA Abaji jointly issued a 14-day ultimatum running from 15th May to 3rd June, 2026, within which they demand full payment of all outstanding deductions.
They further warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would leave them with no option but to shut down primary schools and the LEA office in Abaji, a move that could paralyze basic education administration in the area.
The communiqué was jointly signed by Comrade B. G. Afuwai, NUT Secretary, Abaji; Comrade Muh’d M. Abdullahi, NULGE Auditor (LEA); and Comrade A. G. Usman, NUT Chairman, Abaji, with copies sent to the Acting Education Secretary, Abaji LEA, NUT FCT Wing, NULGE FCT, and Comrade Dr. Etok Akan Jonah, NUT Chairman, Yaba.
As the ultimatum begins to count down, attention now shifts to the Abaji Area Council leadership, with stakeholders awaiting an official response to what has quickly escalated into a brewing industrial crisis capable of disrupting educational activities across the council area.