The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory Council, has commenced an indefinite strike across the FCT over unresolved issues concerning the promotion and welfare of teachers.
The industrial action began on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following a decision reached at the council’s State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday at Labour House, Abuja.
In a statement 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 and remain at home until further notice.
The decision followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over demands relating to the career progression and welfare of teachers in the territory.
The NLC had demanded the removal of the vacancy requirement for the promotion of FCT teachers, the reconsideration of teachers who became eligible for promotion in 2025 so they could sit for their promotion examinations, and the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors who benefited from the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.
The union said the FCTA’s response to its ultimatum failed to address its major concerns, describing the response as ambiguous and unacceptable.
“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 argued that teachers should not be subjected to the vacancy-based promotion system used for 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 labour council, teachers were specifically employed to teach and should therefore be promoted when due, rather than having their career progression tied to the availability of vacant positions.
The NLC also accused the FCTA 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 union directed all workers in the FCT, including those in schools, hospitals, offices and government establishments, to stay away from their duty posts until its demands are addressed.
The council appealed to residents, particularly parents, to bear with workers during the industrial action, while urging civil society organisations and other stakeholders to prevail on the FCTA to resolve the dispute.
It said the strike would be “total and indefinite”, rather than a warning strike.
The FCTA had not publicly responded to the strike declaration at the time of reporting.
