The Nigeria Labour Congress, Federal Capital Territory Council, has declared an indefinite strike across Abuja, effective October 7, 2026. This decision follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Administration regarding unresolved disputes over teacher promotion and career progression. The strike affects workers and public activities in the nation's capital.
The dispute centers on the treatment of teachers employed under the FCT education system, particularly the use of available vacancies as a condition for promotion. The NLC argues that teachers should not be treated like core civil servants or pool officers because they were employed to teach in schools under the FCT Universal Basic Education Board and FCT Secondary Education Board.
The NLC had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the FCT Administration on September 8, 2026, following months of disagreements over promotion, career progression, and treatment of senior officials in the education sector. One major issue is the "vacancy clause," which requires an available position before a teacher can be promoted, despite meeting other requirements.
The NLC is demanding the removal of the vacancy requirement for teacher promotions and wants teachers who were eligible for the 2025 promotion examination but couldn't participate to sit for the examination alongside or before candidates for the 2026 exercise. The union also seeks the reversal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors who are beneficiaries of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022.
The Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act provides for teachers' retirement at 65 years or after 40 years of pensionable service. The National Industrial Court ruled in July 2026 that the eight-year tenure policy cannot override protections provided under the 2022 retirement-age law. Several engagements had taken place before the ultimatum, but the NLC FCT Council says the administration's response failed to resolve fundamental issues.
The NLC chairman in the FCT, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo, stated that the labour movement cannot accept a promotion system designed for another category of public servants. The NLC directed workers to withdraw their services until issues are resolved, covering affiliate unions and affecting activities in schools and government establishments.
The strike's impact is expected to be significant, with schools among the first institutions affected. The NLC has called on parents, residents, and civil society organisations to support its position and press for a resolution of the dispute. The FCT Administration has defended its position on promotions, citing approved vacancies and available resources.
Key points
- The Nigeria Labour Congress has declared an indefinite strike in Abuja over disputes regarding teacher promotion and career progression.
- The strike affects workers and public activities in Abuja, with schools expected to be significantly impacted.
- The dispute centers on the use of available vacancies as a condition for teacher promotion, which the NLC argues is unfair.
