The Nigeria Labour Congress, Federal Capital Territory Council, has commenced an indefinite strike action following a dispute with the FCT Administration over the promotion and welfare of teachers.
The industrial action, which took effect on October 7, was declared after labour leaders accused the administration of failing to address key concerns affecting teachers despite earlier warnings and negotiations.
In a statement issued after a meeting of the council’s State Executive Committee in Abuja, NLC FCT Chairman, Knabayi Adalo, directed workers in both public and private sectors to withdraw their services until further notice.
The strike follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Labour leaders said the administration’s response failed to address the central issues raised by the union, particularly the continued application of vacancy-based promotion criteria to teachers.
According to the NLC, teachers should not be subjected to promotion requirements designed for general civil servants because their employment structure differs from that of other public workers.
The union is demanding the removal of the vacancy condition for teachers seeking promotion, reconsideration of qualified teachers affected by the 2025 promotion exercise and the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors who benefited from the Harmonised Teachers Retirement Age Act.
Labour leaders argued that the failure to address these issues amounts to injustice against teachers and undermines morale within the education sector.
“There can be no industrial peace where legitimate concerns are ignored,” the council stated, insisting that the welfare and career progression of teachers must be protected.
The union further accused the administration of attempting to maintain calm without resolving the substantive grievances that triggered the dispute.
As a result, workers across the FCT have been instructed to remain away from their duty posts pending a satisfactory resolution of the crisis.
The labour movement appealed to residents, parents and civil society groups to support its position, arguing that the strike is necessary to secure fairness and protect the rights of teachers.
As of the time of reporting, the Federal Capital Territory Administration had not issued an official response to the indefinite strike notice.
The development raises concerns about disruptions to public services and educational activities if negotiations fail to produce a breakthrough in the coming days.
