The Federal Capital Territory Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress has declared an indefinite strike across the FCT over unresolved disputes concerning the promotion, redeployment and welfare of teachers.
The industrial action commenced on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
In a communiqué signed by the NLC FCT Council Chairman, Knabayi S. Adalo, the union directed workers in both the public and private sectors to withdraw their services until its demands are addressed.
At the centre of the dispute is the FCTA’s use of a vacancy requirement for the promotion of teachers. The NLC argued that teachers should not be subjected to a promotion system designed for general pool officers because they were employed specifically to teach.
The union is demanding the removal of the vacancy clause, as well as allowing teachers who became eligible for promotion in 2025 to sit for their promotion examinations alongside or before the 2026 candidates.
It also wants the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors covered by the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022. The NLC further called for changes concerning the management teams of the FCT Secondary Education Board and FCT Universal Basic Education Board.
The labour council said the FCTA’s response to its ultimatum was “ambiguous, dismissive and totally unacceptable,” maintaining that the administration had failed to address what it described as the fundamental issues affecting teachers’ career progression.
The NLC directed its affiliate unions to ensure compliance with the strike and said enforcement committees would be established across the territory. Schools, hospitals, offices and other establishments are expected to be affected by the industrial action.
The union appealed to parents, residents, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to prevail on the FCTA to resolve the dispute, warning that the continued disagreement could further disrupt the education sector in the nation’s capital.
The FCT Administration had said previously that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike directed a stay of action on some of the issues raised by the union and ordered the rescheduling of the 2025 promotion examination. However, the NLC said the response did not adequately address the disputed vacancy clause and redeployment of senior directors.
Post a Comment