The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory Council, has directed workers across the FCT to commence an indefinite strike, shutting schools, hospitals, government offices, and other public establishments. The industrial action follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over unresolved grievances. The NLC had demanded the abolition of the vacancy precondition for teachers' promotion, which it says has caused career stagnation among FCT teachers.
At the centre of the dispute is the NLC's demand for the abolition of the vacancy precondition for teachers' promotion. The union described the policy as the primary cause of career stagnation among FCT teachers, arguing that qualified teachers who have met the requirements for advancement could remain stuck on the same grade because of the absence of vacant positions. The NLC FCT Council Chairman, Knabayi Adalo, announced the decision in a communique issued after an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting.
The NLC had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over grievances surrounding the administration of the education sector and the treatment of teachers and senior education officers. Although the FCT Administration responded, saying Wike had ordered a stay of action and directed the rescheduling of the 2025 promotion examination for affected education officers, the NLC said the response failed to address the redeployment and demotion of senior directors and the vacancy condition.
The NLC has directed affiliate unions in both the public and private sectors to ensure full compliance, while special enforcement committees are being established across sectors to monitor the strike. Adalo directed that all schools, hospitals, offices, and government establishments across the FCT remain closed for the duration of the industrial action. The strike commenced on Wednesday, following the expiration of the ultimatum.
Another major demand by the NLC is the immediate withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors in agencies under the Education Secretariat who are beneficiaries of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022. The NLC also demanded the dissolution and reinstatement of the management teams at the FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB) and the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB).
The FCT Administration's response was rejected by the NLC, which argued that it did not sufficiently address the core issues responsible for the dispute. Adalo said the administration had completely ignored what the union described as the illegal redeployment of senior directors. He also faulted the administration for failing to provide a meaningful solution to the controversial vacancy clause.
The disagreement reflects a broader dispute over the administration of teachers' careers within the FCT public education system. The NLC maintains that the vacancy requirement is inappropriate for teachers because it can prevent qualified personnel from progressing despite meeting the prescribed conditions for promotion. The strike is expected to continue until the outstanding issues are resolved.
Key points
- The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared an indefinite strike across the FCT, directing workers to shut schools, hospitals, government offices, and other establishments over unresolved labour disputes with the FCT Administration.
- The strike is primarily over the vacancy precondition for teachers' promotion, which the NLC says has caused career stagnation among FCT teachers.
- The NLC has directed affiliate unions in both the public and private sectors to ensure full compliance, while special enforcement committees are being established across sectors to monitor the strike.
