NLC declares indefinite strike in FCT over teachers’ promotion, welfare

The Nigeria Labour Congress, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has announced an indefinite strike across the region due to unresolved issues regarding teachers' promotions and welfare. The strike began on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, as a result of a decision made at the State Executive Council meeting of the council held on Tuesday at Labour House, Abuja.

The union, through its FCT Council Chairman, Knabayi S. Adalo, directed workers in both public and private sectors to refrain from their duty posts until further notice. This decision came after a seven-day ultimatum given to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to address the union's demands concerning teachers in the territory.

The NLC's primary concerns include the removal of the vacancy precondition for teacher promotions, reconsidering eligible teachers from the 2025 promotion examination, and withdrawing redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors under the Harmonised Teachers Retirement Age Act, 2022. The union claims that the FCT Administration's response to its ultimatum was vague and failed to address the core issues of the vacancy clause and unlawful director demotions.

They emphasized that teachers should not be subjected to vacancy-based promotion systems, as they are employed specifically for teaching and should be promoted based on merit. The NLC also criticized the FCT Administration for attempting to maintain industrial harmony without addressing the perceived injustice against teachers, stating that there can be no peace without justice.

In response to the strike, the FCT Administration has yet to publicly comment as of the latest press update. The labor body has called on residents, particularly parents, to support the workers during this industrial action and urged civil society organizations and other Nigerians to pressure the FCT Administration to address these critical issues. The NLC declared the strike as total and indefinite, indicating it would not be limited to a warning strike.