The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has declared an indefinite strike across the Federal Capital, directing workers in both the public and private sectors to withdraw their services from Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

The directive followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over unresolved grievances concerning the promotion and conditions of service of FCT teachers.

In a communiqué issued after its State Executive Council meeting on Monday, October 6, and signed by the FCT Council Chairman, Knabayi Adalo, the NLC said the FCTA’s response to its demands was “ambiguous and totally unacceptable.”

The council directed all affiliate unions to mobilise their members for total compliance, while enforcement committees are to be established across the FCT.

Under the directive, offices, schools, hospitals and other government establishments in the territory are to remain shut

The NLC had, on September 8, issued a seven-day ultimatum demanding the removal of the vacancy requirement for the promotion of FCT teachers, among other measures.

It also demanded that teachers who became eligible for promotion in 2025 be allowed to sit for their promotion examinations before or alongside the 2026 candidates.

The union further demanded the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors who are beneficiaries of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.

It also called for the dissolution of the management teams of the FCT State Education Board (FCT SEB) and FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB), with their immediate reinstatement.

According to the NLC, the FCTA’s response failed to resolve what it described as the fundamental issue of the vacancy clause, which it said was responsible for career stagnation among teachers.

The council also accused the administration of failing to address the redeployment of affected directors.

“Teachers in the FCT continue to suffer career stagnation, demoralisation, and humiliation despite their selfless service,” the communiqué stated.

The NLC maintained that teachers should not be subjected to vacancy-based promotion requirements, arguing that they are recruited specifically to teach and are therefore not comparable to pool officers within the civil service.

“Teachers are neither core civil servants nor pool staff and cannot be subjected to vacancy-based promotion schemes meant for pool officers,” the council said.

It added that the FCTA’s position could not resolve the dispute without addressing what it described as the underlying injustice.

“There can be no peace without justice,” the council declared.

The labour body consequently directed all public and private sector workers in the FCT to stay away from their duty posts from Wednesday, October 7, until further notice.

The NLC also warned that no worker should be victimised for participating in the industrial action.

The council appealed to parents, civil society organisations, the general public and other stakeholders to prevail on the FCTA to address the dispute, warning that the continued disagreement could further affect the education sector in the territory.

The NLC FCT Council said the strike would be “total and indefinite.” (The Sun)

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