The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Federal Capital Territory Chapter, has distanced itself from the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress. The NLC had directed all workers in the FCT Administration, including those in the private sector, to commence an indefinite strike following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike. The ultimatum was issued over unresolved labour disputes and policy grievances affecting teachers in the territory.
The FCT Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers had directed teachers in primary and secondary schools to remain at home following the NLC's directive. However, Chairman of ASUSS in the FCT, Mr. Julius Ogundiran, issued a statement directing secondary school teachers and education officers to report for their normal academic duties. This directive followed an emergency State Executive Council meeting of the union, which reviewed the situation and resolved to reject the strike action.
Ogundiran described the industrial action as premature and detrimental to the educational welfare and academic progress of students across the FCT. He emphasized that the future and academic destiny of the Nigerian child in the classroom must not be used as collateral or held hostage at every instance of industrial disagreement. The chairman expressed concerns over incessant, baseless, and premature strikes, which he said did little to promote genuine industrial harmony.
Ogundiran maintained that none of the three major grievances raised by the NUT was sufficient to justify industrial action at the present time. He explained that issues concerning establishment frameworks and financial approvals required administrative negotiation and engagement rather than abrupt industrial action. On the demand for the removal of the vacancy requirement for teachers' promotion, he said the provision remained an entrenched statutory requirement under the Public Service Rules.
The chairman also addressed the alleged omission of some teachers from the 2025 promotion examination, stating that the FCT Administration had already addressed the matter through administrative measures. He argued that striking over an issue that has already received administrative redress was uncalled for. Regarding the redeployment of some education directors back to classrooms, he said the exercise fell within the administrative powers of management to maintain order and ensure compliance with statutory standards in the public service.
Ogundiran warned that the strike appeared to be an attempt to disrupt the forthcoming 2025/2026 promotion examinations scheduled for eligible FCT education officers. He directed ASUSS members to ignore the stay-at-home order and report for their scheduled assessments. He also appealed to parents and guardians across the FCT to release their children and wards for normal school activities.
Ogundiran assured the public that ASUSS remained committed to professional integrity, social responsibility, and sustained industrial harmony in the education sector. The union's decision to reject the strike action and direct teachers to resume duties reflects its dedication to ensuring the academic progress and welfare of students in the FCT.
Key points
- ASUSS rejects NLC's indefinite strike in FCT, directing teachers to resume duties.
- The strike was declared over unresolved labour disputes and policy grievances affecting teachers in the territory.
- ASUSS chairman, Mr. Julius Ogundiran, described the strike as premature and detrimental to students' academic progress.
