NLC declares indefinite strike in FCT over teachers’ promotion dispute

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

The decision followed what the union described as the failure of the FCT Administration (FCTA) to satisfactory address outstanding grievances affecting teachers in the territory, including promotion, career stagnation and redeployment of school directors.

The NLC FCT Council announced the decision in a communique issued at the end of its State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Monday, October 6, 2026, at the NLC FCT Secretariat in Abuja signed by its Chairman, Comrade Knabayi S. Adalo.

The Council said the strike followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT on September 8, 2026, over unresolved labour issued affecting FCT teachers.

The NLC said the FCT Administration’s response to it demands was ambiguous and unacceptable. A major point of disagreement is the use of vacancy requirement as a condition for teachers’ promotion, which the union said has caused prolonged career stagnation and affected the morale of teachers employed by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board and Secondary Education Board.

The labour is also demanding that teachers who were eligible for the 2025 promotion exercise be allowed to sit for the examination alongside or before those scheduled for the 2026 exercise. It further wants the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors affected by the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.

The NLC directed its affiliate unions and workers across the FCT, including those in schools, hospitals, offices and government establishments, to withdraw their services until the issues are resolved. The Council warned that no worker should be victimised for participating in what it described as a legitimate industrial action.

The union has appealed to parents, residents and civil society groups to support the actions, while warning that the continued dispute could further disrupt the education sector.

The declaration is expected to affect government offices, schools, healthcare facilities and other public institutions across the Federal Capital Territory, subject to developments between labour and the FCTA.

-9News Nigeria.