NLC Begins Indefinite Strike Across FCT Over Teachers’ Promotion, Welfare Dispute.

NLC Begins Indefinite Strike Across FCT Over Teachers’ Promotion, Welfare Dispute.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has commenced an indefinite strike across the territory, citing unresolved disputes over teachers’ promotion, career progression and other welfare-related concerns.

The industrial action began on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, following the expiration of a seven day ultimatum issued by the NLC to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The union said its decision followed the administration’s failure to satisfactorily resolve the issues raised.

In a communiqué signed by NLC FCT Council Chairman, Knabayi S. Adalo, the labour body rejected the FCTA’s response to its demands, describing it as “ambiguous, dismissive and totally unacceptable.” The council subsequently directed workers across public and private establishments in the FCT to withdraw their services until further notice.

At the centre of the dispute is the FCTA’s application of a vacancy requirement as a condition for the promotion of teachers. The NLC argues that teachers employed through the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) and FCT Secondary Education Board (FCT SEB) are specifically recruited to teach and should not be subjected to promotion conditions designed for core civil servants or pool officers.

According to the labour union, the vacancy requirement has contributed to prolonged career stagnation and declining morale among teachers. The NLC is therefore demanding the immediate removal of the requirement from the promotion process.

The union is also demanding that teachers who were eligible for promotion in 2025 but were unable to take the relevant examination be allowed to participate alongside, or before, the 2026 candidates.

Another major point of contention involves the redeployment and demotion of directors within the FCT education structure. The NLC is calling for the withdrawal of relevant redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors who benefited from the Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022, as well as measures affecting the management of the FCT education boards.

The dispute also comes against the backdrop of a July 2026 ruling by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which nullified Federal Government circulars seeking to apply an eight-year tenure limit to teachers and education officers serving as directors. The court held that such provisions were inconsistent with the 2022 law, which provides for teachers to remain in service until age 65 or after 40 years of pensionable service, whichever comes first.

The NLC has instructed its affiliate unions to ensure compliance with the industrial action and established enforcement committees to monitor implementation across the territory. The directive covers workers in several sectors, meaning the impact could extend beyond schools to other public and private establishments.

The development is expected to place additional pressure on education activities in Abuja and surrounding areas, particularly as parents and students navigate disruptions to school operations. The NLC has appealed to residents, parents, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support efforts to compel the FCTA to address the outstanding issues.

As of the latest reports, the FCTA had not publicly announced a resolution to the dispute. The strike remains indefinite, with the NLC maintaining that workers should remain away from their duty posts until its demands are addressed.

The latest action underscores the continuing tension between organized labour and authorities over teachers’ career progression and working conditions, while also raising broader questions about how promotion policies can balance public service regulations with the need to retain motivated and adequately supported educators.