NLC Declares Indefinite Strike in FCT Over Teachers’ Welfare

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) announced an indefinite, nationwide strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday, citing unresolved welfare disputes affecting teachers. This strike came into effect after the NLC issued a seven-day ultimatum to the FCT Administration on September 8, 2026, demanding a resolution to the issues. The NLC's FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo, denounced the Administration's response as "ambiguous, dismissive, and totally unacceptable."

The core of the dispute revolves around the FCT Administration's "vacancy clause," which ties teacher promotions to the availability of teaching positions. NLC contends that teachers are recruited by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) and the FCT Secondary Education Board (FCT SEB) specifically to teach, differentiating them from core civil servants.

The union expresses concern over the promotion of teachers based on this clause, arguing that it leads to career stagnation and demoralization. Vacancy-based promotion schemes for pool officers have proven to be particularly detrimental to educators.

In response to the dispute, the NLC has instructed all workers in both the public and private sectors—named affiliate unions operating within schools, hospitals, offices, and government establishments—to cease all activities starting October 7 until all demands are met. The union has also tasked enforcement committees to monitor adherence to this directive across the territory.

Adalo emphasized that teachers should not be categorized as core civil servants or pool staff and should not be subjected to the same promotion criteria. He expressed frustration with the FCT Administration's lack of action, stating that failing to address these injustices is "mere wishful thinking." To achieve peace, Adalo reiterated, "there can be no peace without justice."

The union's primary demands include the immediate repeal of the vacancy clause as a prerequisite for teacher promotions, the inclusion of 2025 eligible candidates in the promotion examinations along with 2026 candidates, and the reversal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors under the Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022. Additionally, the NLC seeks the dissolution and reinstatement of the management teams at the FCT SEB and FCT UBEB.