RismadarVoice Reporters
October 8, 2026
The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Federal Capital Territory chapter, has rejected the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), directing secondary school teachers and education officers to remain at their duty posts.
The decision followed an emergency meeting of the ASUSS State Executive Council convened to review the NUT directive withdrawing services across the FCT.
In a statement, ASUSS described the industrial action as premature and warned that it could disrupt academic activities and negatively affect students.
The union directed its members to disregard the stay-at-home order, maintaining that students should not be made to bear the consequences of disagreements that could be addressed through dialogue.
ASUSS said issues raised by the NUT, including vacancies, promotions and the redeployment of directors within education agencies, could be resolved through administrative processes without shutting schools.
On staffing, the union said employment and deployment decisions were subject to Public Service Rules governing establishment control and financial planning.
ASUSS also said arrangements had been made for the 2025 promotion exercise to be conducted alongside the 2026 cycle under the FCT Civil Service Commission, in line with circulars issued in September 2026.
The union defended the redeployment of some directors in education agencies to classrooms, describing the decision as being within management’s statutory authority and intended to improve administrative efficiency.
It further warned that the strike could disrupt the scheduled 2025/2026 promotion examinations for FCT Education Officers and directed eligible officers to participate in accordance with the published timetable.
ASUSS urged parents and guardians to send their children to school, assuring them that its members would continue academic activities.
Principals, vice-principals and education officers were also directed to keep schools open, ensure teachers report for duty and maintain normal academic and administrative operations.
The union called on school authorities to monitor attendance and maintain a safe learning environment while urging all parties involved in the dispute to pursue dialogue and prioritise the interests of students.
