The Nigeria Labour Congress, FCT Council, has declared an indefinite strike across the Federal Capital Territory over unresolved issues concerning the promotion and welfare of teachers.
The strike commenced on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following a decision taken at the State Executive Council meeting of the council held on Tuesday at Labour House, Abuja.
In a statement signed and released by the NLC FCT Council Chairman, Knabayi S. Adalo, the union directed workers in both the public and private sectors to stay away from their duty posts until further notice.
The decision followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory over the union’s demands concerning teachers in the territory.
The NLC had demanded the removal of the vacancy precondition for the promotion of FCT teachers, reconsideration of eligible 2025 teachers to enable them to sit for their promotion examination, and the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors who benefited from the Harmonised Teachers Retirement Age Act, 2022.
The union said the response of the FCT Administration to its ultimatum failed to address the issues at stake.
“The FCTA’s response to our ultimatum was vague and did not address the core issue of the vacancy clause, including the unlawful demotion of directors,” the statement said.
The NLC maintained that teachers in the FCT should not be subjected to the vacancy-based promotion system applicable to pool officers.
“We want to make it clear: Teachers are not core civil servants nor pool staff and cannot be subjected to vacancy-based promotion meant for pool officers,” it said.
According to the council, teachers were employed specifically to teach and should be promoted when due.
The labour body also accused the FCT Administration of attempting to maintain industrial harmony without addressing what it described as injustice against teachers.
“The FCTA’s attempt to sustain industrial harmony without addressing injustice is mere wishful thinking. There can be no peace without justice,” it stated.
Consequently, the NLC directed all workers in the FCT to remain at home until its demands were addressed.
“Consequently, all workers in the FCT – public and private – are directed to stay away from their duty posts and stay at home from 7th October, 2026, until further notice,” the statement read.
The council appealed to residents, particularly parents, to bear with the workers during the industrial action, while urging civil society organisations and other Nigerians to prevail on the FCT Administration to address the issues.
It said, “We call on the general public, especially parents and residents of the FCT, to bear with us. We also call on civil society and well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the FCTA to do the right thing to save the education sector in the FCT from total collapse.”
The council insisted that the action would not be limited to a warning strike.
“The strike will be total and indefinite,” it declared.
The FCTA had yet to publicly react to the strike declaration as of press time.
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