The Nigeria Labour Congress, FCT Council, has declared an indefinite strike across the Federal Capital Territory over unresolved issues surrounding the promotion and welfare of teachers.
The industrial action commenced 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 stay away from their duty posts until further notice.
Seven-Day Ultimatum Expires
The strike followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory over demands concerning teachers in the territory.
The NLC said its demands include the removal of the vacancy requirement for the promotion of FCT teachers, reconsideration of eligible 2025 teachers to allow them to sit for promotion examinations, and withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors who benefited from the Harmonised Teachers Retirement Age Act, 2022.
According to the union, the FCT Administration’s response to the ultimatum failed to resolve the issues.
“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 NLC said.
NLC Rejects Vacancy-Based Promotion For Teachers
The labour council argued that teachers 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,” the union stated.
It maintained that teachers were recruited specifically to teach and should be promoted when due.
The NLC also accused the FCT Administration of seeking to maintain industrial harmony without addressing what it described as injustices 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.
All FCT Workers Directed To Stay Away
Following the declaration, the NLC directed all workers across the FCT, including those in the private sector, to remain at home from October 7 until further notice.
“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 workers during the industrial action.
It also called on civil society organisations and other Nigerians to prevail on the FCT Administration to resolve the dispute.
The union warned that the action would not be a limited warning strike, declaring: “The strike will be total and indefinite.”
The FCT Administration had yet to publicly respond to the strike declaration as of press time.
