RismadarVoice Reporters
October 7, 2026
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Federal Capital Territory Council, has begun an indefinite strike across the FCT over unresolved disputes concerning teachers’ promotion, redeployment and conditions of service.
The industrial action took effect on Wednesday, October 7, following the expiration of an ultimatum issued to the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA.
In a communiqué issued after its State Executive Council meeting and signed by FCT NLC Chairman Knabayi Adalo, the labour body described the administration’s response to its demands as “ambiguous and totally unacceptable.”
The council directed its affiliate unions to mobilise members for compliance and said enforcement committees would operate across the territory.
Under the directive, workers in affected establishments have been asked to stay away from their duty posts until the issues raised by organised labour are resolved.
Central to the dispute is the NLC’s demand for the removal of the vacancy requirement for the promotion of FCT teachers.
The union is also demanding that teachers who became eligible for promotion in 2025 be allowed to take their promotion examinations before or alongside eligible 2026 candidates.
It further called for the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters reportedly issued to directors affected by the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.
The labour body also raised demands concerning the management of the FCT Secondary Education Board and Universal Basic Education Board.
According to the NLC, the FCTA’s response did not adequately address the vacancy clause, which the union says has contributed to career stagnation among teachers.
“Teachers in the FCT continue to suffer career stagnation, demoralisation, and humiliation despite their selfless service,” the communiqué stated.
The council argued that teachers should not be subjected to the same vacancy-based promotion system applicable to certain categories of civil servants.
“Teachers are neither core civil servants nor pool staff and cannot be subjected to vacancy-based promotion schemes meant for pool officers,” it said.
The NLC also warned against victimising workers participating in the industrial action and appealed to parents, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to press for a resolution of the dispute.
The council maintained that the strike would remain in force until its demands are addressed, declaring: “There can be no peace without justice.”
