NLC Orders Indefinite Strike in FCT Over Teachers’ Grievances

The Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Council, has declared an indefinite strike across the territory over unresolved grievances affecting teachers.

The council directed workers in both the public and private sectors to withdraw their services from Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

The decision followed the failure of the FCT Administration(FCTA) to satisfactorily resolve disputes over teachers’ promotion, career stagnation and the redeployment of school directors.

The NLC announced the strike in a communiqué issued after its State Executive Council(SEC) meeting on Monday at its secretariat in Abuja. The communiqué was signed by the council chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo.

The union said the action became necessary after the FCTA failed to resolve the issues within a seven-day ultimatum issued on September 8.

At the centre of the dispute is the vacancy condition attached to the promotion of FCT teachers. The NLC wants the FCTA to remove the condition and reconsider teachers who qualified for promotion in 2025.

The union also wants the affected 2025 candidates to join the 2026 candidates for the promotion examination.

Another major demand concerns directors who benefited from the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022. The NLC called for the withdrawal of their redeployment and demotion letters.

It also demanded the dissolution of the management teams of the FCT Secondary Education Board(FCT SEB) and FCT Universal Basic Education Board(FCT UBEB).

The council further called for the immediate reinstatement of officials affected by the decisions.

According to the labour body, the FCTA’s response to its demands failed to resolve the key issues. It particularly faulted the administration’s position on the vacancy clause and the redeployment of directors.

The NLC described the response as “ambiguous and dismissive,” arguing that the unresolved issues had contributed to prolonged career stagnation and low morale among teachers.

After extensive deliberations, the SEC declared the FCTA’s response “ambiguous and totally unacceptable.”

It consequently directed workers across the territory to begin indefinite industrial action from Wednesday.

The council ordered the closure of offices, schools, hospitals and other government establishments until the FCTA addresses its demands.

It also instructed affiliate unions to mobilise their members for full compliance. The unions are expected to establish enforcement committees to monitor adherence to the strike directive.

The NLC warned against victimising workers who participate in the action, describing the strike as a legitimate industrial action.

It urged workers to remain united, resolute and law-abiding throughout the dispute.

The strike could disrupt government services, education and healthcare across the FCT as labour and the administration seek a resolution to the outstanding issues.